Entertainment

Japanese Horror Movies That Can Give You Sleepless Nights

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4m ago

Jul 11, 2024 / 1677 Views

Evan Walker

The mention of the Japanese film industry instantly brings to mind the more popular jidaigeki (Japanese period films) genre, which include critically acclaimed samurai movies as well as unforgettable anime masterpieces. But the industry is not all about stories of the valourous blade-masters of the shōgun or hand-drawn artistic frames that tell moving tales. Also sharing space with them in the Japanese industry are some of the best horror movies that frighten and inspire as much as they entertain.

As fans would discover, horror in Japanese cinema is not akin to the concept of horror in Hollywood or most other non-Asian film industries. It is a niche space which has been minutely explored by some of the greatest auteurs in world cinema who have come from Japan — for instance, Akira Kurosawa, Yasujiro Ozu, Takashi Miike, Masaki Kobayashi, Nagisa Ōshima and even the anime great Hayao Miyazaki. These icons have not only reshaped the Japanese film industry in the post-war period but have also given a unique dimension to storytelling by infusing innovative techniques and presenting a canvas so wide and immersive that it continues to coMMAnd the attention of viewers of all ages to this day.

There is something truly incredible about Japanese horror movies. They do not engage in jump scares, which simply blow the wits out of the viewer with a sudden in-their-face frame. What Japanese horror movies do, instead, is draw the viewers into the broad tapestry of their stories where the scenario is such that the very thought of the events unfolding on the screen sends shivers down the spine.

Of course, psychological horror is at the centre of most of the titles coming from the Japanese industry. Take for instance Satoshi Kon’s Perfect Blue. The anime film is renowned for its gripping story which keeps viewers in anticipation of the next horrific turn in the protagonist’s life.

On the other hand, there are movies like Masaki Kobayashi’s Kwaidan, which dives into the ocean of Japanese folk literature and brings to the surface some of the most chilling tales. Then there are horror thrillers such as Battle Royale and Audition. Together, they complete the renowned horror genre of the Japanese film industry. At the same time, it is noteworthy that films such as the Godzilla or Attack of the Titan franchises may indeed have some horror elements but are broadly classed as kaiju (monster) films.