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Kwaidan (1964)

 Kwaidan (1964)

RELEASED December 29, 1964 RUNTIME 183 mins DIRECTOR Masaki Kobayashi 

WRITERS Yoko Mizuki (screenplay), Lafcadio Hearn (novel) 

STARS Rentarô Mikuni, Michiyo Aratama, Misako Watanabe

COUNTRY Japan LANGUAGE Japanese 

STUDIOS Bungei, Toho Company, Ltd., Ninjin Club, Toyo Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha 

GENRES Drama, Fantasy, Horror

Streaming on: Criterion, HBOMax




The plot: An anthology of four folk tales with supernatural themes.


Random observations:

  • There are many moments where the sets seem like living paintings.
  • Theydies and Gentlethems, I give you Gothic Rashomon. 
  • I love anthologies. <3

Well, I'm ashamed to say it, but this is a first watch for me. It's been on my to-see list for as long as I can remember, but somehow it kept slipping through my fingers. 

This film is very much style over substance, but the style is unlike anything else. This is the ASMR of horror films. 

Also, this puppy is now on the list of one of the best films I've ever seen. 




1/1 Directing
1/1 Cinematography
1/1 Visual design
1/1 Editing
1/1 Plot 
1/1 Dialogue
1/1 Acting
1/1 Soundtrack/Score/Sound
1/1 Originality
1/1 Rewatchability
Total: 10/10 Binge Bones




The verdict: A must see!

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