Straight to Hell Review: Unlike other biographical dramas, this Netflix series is a sprawling decades-long character study that follows the life of Japanese fortune teller Kazuko Hosoki, whose controversial life offers an interesting look into how a person’s life can change. Following her rise from post-war poverty to becoming one of Japan’s most feared public figures, the series is a rousing portrayal of one woman’s determination to better her life.
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Straight to Hell Netflix Cast
Erika Toda, Sairi Ito, Toko Miura, Eita Okuno, Kentaro Tamura, Ayumu Nakajima, Gaku Hosokawa, Yoshihiko Hosoda, Erika Shumoto, Miho Kanazawa, Show Kasamatsu, Tasuku Nagaoka, Yuko Nakamura, Miwako Ichikawa, Kazuya Takahashi, Tetta Sugimoto, Kimiko Yo, Renji Ishibashi, Yasuko Tomita, Toma Ikuta
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Straight to Hell Series Directors
Tomoyuki Takimoto, Norichika Oba
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Original Title
地獄に堕ちるわよ
The series has 9 episodes, each with a runtime of around 60 minutes.
Straight to Hell Review
Plot & summary
The series is a moving and thrilling biographical drama that is told across two timelines. The story is told through writer Minori Uozumi’s eyes, who is tasked with writing Kazuko’s biography while herself struggling with a controlling ex-husband and financial struggles. As she digs deeper, the narrative starts to blur, and she and the audience are left to wonder whether she was simply a manipulative opportunist or a visionary.
However, with Kazuko struggling to get out of extreme poverty by hook or by crook to rule Tokyo’s nightlife and eventually dominating television, her story is extremely moving, fascinating and unsettling.
Performances
Erika Toda plays the central role of Kazuko Hosoki, and she is a force to be reckoned with. She delivers a memorable and transformative performance of Kazuko through different stages of her life and is on point throughout. She captures Kazuko’s charisma that held people’s attention over the years, as well as her cold ambition, which becomes rather scary. Her performance is layered and showcases the hidden pain and determination of her youth and what keeps her going. She doesn’t seek sympathy, but rather makes her presence known by demanding control and respect.
Supporting cast, including Sairi Ito, is also great, and although we are supposed to see the story from her perspective, her character has very little to do here. Thankfully, Minori is the moral and emotional counterweight to Kazuko’s ambition and greed, as well as the more logical counterpoint to the protagonist’s overwhelming presence.
Direction & writing
Tomoyuki Takimoto and Norichika Oba, we see a deeper and more grounded look at trauma shaping lives without the sensationalism. The non-linear storytelling makes this more thrilling, as viewers will find themselves on edge, wondering how Kazuko became a fortune teller from a successful hostess club owner. It also reinforces the show’s central idea that truth is subjective, based on who is telling it.
Hosoki is never showcased as a hero or a villain and, instead, deliberately leaves it up to the viewers’ interpretation. The rumours surrounding her life, too, are left up to interpretation and add to the show’s eerie tension.
Themes & tone
The show explores several themes, including the price of ambition, manipulating people for one’s own gain and the thin line between truth and performance. The tone is dark and dreary, with some hope sprinkled in between. However, Hosoki’s life is quite depressing for the most part, and even when she gets everything that she wants, there is an undertone of sadness that is never really shaken off. Through all the uphill battles that she goes through, the story holds on to the quiet, unsettling intensity that adds to the thrill of an already controversial story.
What works
The performances are fantastic and anchor the story, making it memorable. Erika Toda’s unflinching portrayal of a controversial and grey woman stays with viewers beyond the episodes. The rich historical backdrop, following the rise of Japan’s economy, is also interesting and adds to the storytelling as well as Hisoki’s life.
What doesn’t
The show’s biggest weakness is its length and slow pacing. Albeit arresting, it does tend to overstay its welcome more often than not and takes away from the tension. The storyline involving Minori might also feel unwelcome, and some of the repetitive plotpoints make watching this, despite all the good things, a bit challenging.
Final Thoughts
Straight to Hell is a very engaging and interesting show, looking into the life of one of Japan’s most controversial fortune tellers. It’s bold, unsettling and portrays Hosoki’s complex and layered life. However, at 9 hours, it’s a bit too much and makes it difficult to sit through at times.
What are your thoughts on Straight to Hell? Let us know in the comments below!
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