• クリーピー (Creepy)

4/10/22 (Sun)

A 2016 return to the horror genre by Kurosawa Kiyoshi. An inspector specializing in psychopaths finds his methods sorely tested when a criminal who he is trying to tame literally stabs him in the back and kills the hostage. His failure to match theory to reality leads to his retirement and naturally to a career in academia. He is lured back to the field when an unsolved case from years past that he fortuitously comes upon online has uncomfortable parallels with an odd character living in his new neighborhood.

The movie opens promisingly but soon dissolves into a series of all-too-convenient coincidences, unlikely personalities, and unconvincing character developments. The film zeroes in on the obvious villain early on, exaggerating his weirdness for effect. He sports an impressive lair in his modest home with trap doors, soundproof iron walls and various equipment, and the question is: how did he come up with all this without attracting any attention, especially having just moved there relatively recently? The ex-detective’s wife keeps coming back to the creepy neighbor despite his aggressions (e.g., grabbing her forcefully, looming over her asking threateningly whether she prefers him or her husband). The police visit the home without any backup. The criminal’s “daughter” clearly dislikes the man but sticks with him anyway. And more, basically throwing in whatever works to keep the plot moving whether or not it makes sense on its own. Sadly, the ending goes beyond unimaginative into just plain dumb; it feels like the filmmaker ran out of time. I’m glad at least that the dog was spared.

Nishijima Hidetoshi (Drive My Car) is his usual self, giving a low-key but credible performance as the ex-cop, and Takeuchi Yuko is excellent as his wife despite being burdened with some questionable character traits. But the real star is Kabuki actor Teruyuki Kagawa, whose ever-shifting portrayal of the villain from sinister to friendly and points in between is the movie’s most interesting feature. The movie overall is strong on atmospherics, weak on plausibility. I’d heard lots of praise for this film and director, but I’d have to rank this as a disappointment.