Manipulation and Morality at the Core
MOVIE REVIEW
Cure
–
Genre: Crime, Horror, Mystery, Thriller
Year Released: 1997, 2025 4K Blu-ray
Runtime: 1h 51m
Director(s): Kiyoshi Kurosawa
Writer(s): Kiyoshi Kurosawa
Cast: Koji Yakusho, Masato Hagiwara, Tsuyoshi Ujiki, Anna Nakagawa, Yukijiro Hotaru, Yoriko Doguchi, Denden, Ren Osugi, Masahiro Toda, Misayo Haruki, Shun Nakayama
Where To Watch: available January 27, 2025; pre-order your copy here: www.eurekavideo.co.uk (UK)
RAVING REVIEW: Kiyoshi Kurosawa’s CURE offers a suspenseful journey into the uncharted depths of the human mind. It lingers with you, teasing control, morality, and identity themes. Atmospheric and intensely psychological, the story is an exercise in discomfort, steadily pulling viewers into its enigmatic tale. The film’s unique tone and intricate storytelling ensure it will leave an impression—whether good, bad, or unsettling.
The premise is explored through Detective Takabe (Kôji Yakusho,) a man tasked with solving a string of grisly murders. Each victim bears the same signature: a large X carved across their chest. What’s puzzling is that the killers offer a twist on the standard serial killer motif. Takabe’s search for answers leads him to Mamiya (Masato Hagiwara,) a mysterious wanderer who appears to connect the cases. The deeper Takabe digs, the blurrier the line between his investigation and his unraveling psyche becomes, inviting viewers to question how much of what they see can be trusted.
What sets this film apart is Kurosawa’s control over its mood and atmosphere. Instead of leaning on predictable horror elements, the director focuses on subtle, creeping dread. The visuals are stark and deliberate, with every shadow and frame serving a purpose. Ordinary sounds—a dripping faucet or the hum of machinery become purposeful, creating a landscape reflecting the characters’ internal chaos. This minimalist approach amplifies the stakes, immersing viewers without resorting to over-the-top theatrics.
Its pacing intentionally leans into the deliberate, with long stretches that simmer. While this allows for deep thematic resonance, some moments feel overly drawn out, risking the story's intensity.
Mamiya, the film’s central enigma, represents both a strength and a potential weakness. Hagiwara portrays him as lethargic and detached, which suits the character’s nature but occasionally saps energy from the film’s tension. His monotony becomes repetitive, undercutting moments that demand more energy.
At its heart, CURE is a meditation on the fragility of identity and the ease with which external forces can exploit human vulnerabilities. Kurosawa uses the film to critique disconnection, showing characters drifting in their lives and being easily manipulated. This theme resonates throughout the story, framing the murders as less about violence and more about the loss of control—both personal and collective.
The editing is integral to creating unease, with abrupt cuts and disjointed transitions mirroring the characters' fractured mental states. These choices keep viewers off balance, encouraging them to scrutinize every detail while questioning the reliability of what they see. The result is a viewing experience that is as much a puzzle as a narrative, requiring active engagement to appreciate fully.
Detective Takabe’s journey is both an external and internal battle. His home life, strained by his wife’s declining mental health, mirrors the chaos of his investigation. His grip on reality slips as he becomes increasingly consumed by the case. This duality adds depth to his character, making him relatable as a detective and as a person wrestling with forces beyond his control.
CURE succeeds as a bold and haunting exploration of psychological horror. By eschewing conventional tropes, Kurosawa crafts a film that tells its tale. It refuses to offer easy answers, inviting viewers to grapple with its themes. For those willing to sit with its complexities, the film is an enriching experience that questions morality, identity, and the limits of free will.
The film's eerie atmosphere and layered storytelling make it stand out, even among its contemporaries. Kurosawa’s ability to combine an artistic vision with psychological exploration ensures its place as a standout in the genre. Though not without flaws, the film’s ability to provoke thought and stir emotions makes it a work that deserves revisited and discussed.
Please visit https://linktr.ee/overlyhonestr for more reviews.
You can follow me on Letterboxd, Instagram, Twitter, and YouTube. My social media accounts can also be found on most platforms by searching Overly Honest Reviews.
I’m always happy to hear from my readers; please say hi or send me any questions about movies.
[photo courtesy of EUREKA ENTERTAINMENT]
DISCLAIMER:
At Overly Honest Movie Reviews, we value honesty and transparency. Occasionally, we receive free items for review, including DVDs, Blu-rays, CDs, Vinyl, Books, etc. We assure you that these arrangements do not influence our reviews, as we are committed to providing unbiased and sincere evaluations. We aim to help you make informed entertainment choices, regardless of our relationship with distributors or producers.
Amazon Affiliate Links:
Additionally, this site contains Amazon affiliate links. If you purchase through these links, we may receive a commission. This affiliate arrangement does not affect our commitment to honest reviews and helps support our site. We appreciate your trust and support in navigating these links.
Average Rating