Re/Member Review: Re/Member or Karada Sagashi (カラダ探し) is the live-action based on the popular manga series of the same name by Welzard. Directed by Eiichiro Hasumi, the story surrounds six high school teenagers stuck in a time loop by a ghost, and the only way out is by completing the given task. Yuki Hara produces the film, and Warner Bros. Japan is the official distributor.
Starring Kanna Hashimoto as Asuka Morisaki in the lead role alongside Gordon Maeda as Takahiro Ise, Maika Yamamoto as Rumiko Hiiragi, Fûju Kamio as Atsushi Kiyomiya, Kotaro Daigo as Shota Uranishi, Mayuu Yokota as Rie Naruto and more. Yusuke Ichitsubo is the cinematographer, and the movie has a runtime of approximately 105 minutes.
-No Spoilers-
Re/Member Review
Initially, Re/Member starts strong and sets an eerie atmosphere. The film opens by following a lonely student outcast by her classmates and the bizarre instances that happen along the way. An unexplainable and mysterious ambience is skillfully captured and piques the audience’s attention.
The jumpscare scenes are seamlessly executed; e.g., a group of hands covered in blood appear from inside a well, and a little girl suddenly pops up asking for help, which is terrifying to witness. Those instances manage to create shock value and keep the viewers engaged with the storyline. The plot includes every aspect of a horror movie, from a bloody and scary ghost to showcasing the brutal carnage of the students.
However, after a couple of minutes, the movie starts to go on a downward spiral and never recovers. The plot loses its way, and the gore sequences are insufficient to cover up the disaster. The build-up is done well, but the final revelation falls short of what is expected. There was a motive to make the story seem deeper than it was, and it failed miserably to hold up with the shallow image.
The plot presents very little backstory to sympathise with and create a deeper connection with the characters. The themes behind the students’ individual problems are superficially shown, with no real solution or explanation behind the situations. Moreover, some characters form friendships and get into relationships instantly, making it further unrealistic and ineffective.
You notice how the movie is dragged to the very last minute in an effort to establish an emotional bond with the viewers, but it is rather cringeworthy and frustrating to watch the lead character struggle to complete a simple task at hand. Furthermore, several loopholes will leave one with some lingering questions.
Also Read: Re/member Post Credit Scene Explained: What Happened Inside the Well?
Nevertheless, the visual effects make the movie bearable. The explicit, uber-realistic death scenes will send a shiver down your spine. The intricate and comprehensive use of prosthetic make-up used for the ghost is also commendable. Additionally, the music plays an important role in elevating the storytelling process.
Kanna Hashimoto’s portrayal of an outcast is done well. She appears completely different from her last movie, The Violence Action, which only proves her versatility. The rest of the supporting cast remained committed to the characters and delivered as the script demanded.
Final Thoughts
Six teenagers are entangled in a sick and twisted, murderous game, and their only way out is to participate. The story does not contain any deeper meaning, but it will manage to keep you up at night with its scary visuals. If you are in search of a horror flick which does not need much attention, this one is just for you!
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Re/Member is now streaming on Netflix.