Cure

Kiyoshi Kurosawa caught my attention with his film "Pulse", which was shot in a similarly depressing atmosphere. However, "Cure" has a better, more interesting story and it truly excels in its progression, which gets darker and darker, burdening the viewer more and more, until it reaches a finale that truly shakes them. If Japanese films were given more attention in Europe, perhaps we would finally understand that there is no reason to fear them, but rather we would realize why they are to be admired. (18/04/2014)

A perfect Japanese mysterious thriller with a great atmosphere that builds up slowly, and an interesting story. The premise reminds me a little of one of the very good episodes of The X-Files (Pusher, from the third season). The ending, as in most Asian thrillers, left me flabbergasted – what is that supposed to mean? The Asians really know how to do ambiguous tension. And even though I prefer to know, or at least to guess, where I’m standing with a film, this approach also has something going on for it. Either way, this film is worth recommending, if only for its oppressive atmosphere. (30/12/2012)