The film centres on a young, precocious neuroscientist, Tomohiko Kataoka (Daigo Nishihata), who visits a secluded island to become part of a research team exploring the links between the mind and virtual reality. Tomohiko receives intermittent apparitions of the dead woman haunting the island and its inhabitants. The apparitions manifest within their virtual reality experiments as if the vengeful ghost has found a pathway through this man-made medium.
The style is no different from THE GRUDGE series, where the ghost of the brutally departed victim seeks revenge, but this time around, the attacks happen within an imagined reality. Or do they? The supernatural meets the futuristic world as a plotline is new territory for Shimizu as he marries the unpredictability of both.
The film’s highlight happens in the sea, and the experience of drowning is virtually experienced within the confines of a lab. That could be the most original this horror instalment gets as most elements remain faithful to the scare tactics of the previous GRUDGE movies. It is a novel premise on its own, although the murky waters of genre blending extend the audience’s experience of reality itself.
The Japanese Film Festival Australia 2022 is back with film screenings in Canberra, Perth, Brisbane, Melbourne and Sydney. From December 7-14, Sydneysiders will enjoy the best Japanese cinema in Palace cinemas at Norton, Verona and Chauvel. Here are some of the highlights.
Oscar 2025 nominations have been announced, with EMILIA PEREZ leading with 13 nominations, followed by THE BRUTALIST and WICKED with 10 nominations each, rounded up by CONCLAVE and A COMPLETE UNKNOWN with 8 each. Other noteworthy contenders were ANORA, THE SUBSTANCE, and the surprise entry I’M STILL HERE from Brazil. Unexpected announcements include Sebastian Stan and Jeremy Strong for THE APPRENTICE as well as Felicity Jones for THE BRUTALIST and Monica Barbaro for A COMPLETE UNKNOWN. Notable snubs were director Edward Berger for CONCLAVE, Angelina Jolie for MARIA, Daniel Craig for QUEER, Nicole Kidman for BABYGIRL and Denzel Washington for GLADIATOR II.
