Cure

A string of murders connected by a carved ‘x’ on victims’ necks, committed by different people each time who know no reason for the murder, causes a Tokyo Metropolitan police detective to investigate and get lost in the mystery and seemingly senselessness of the murders. The investigation brings him to his breaking point, and his faith in humanity is tested. Directed by Kiyoshi Kurosawa, the aesthetic and tone is dripping with darkness and grit, drawing on some horror elements from one of his previous works, Pulse, giving the film an eerie and tense atmosphere. Kōji Yakusho puts in a fantastic performance that has you hooked from the start and deserves recognition. If you enjoyed Memories of Murder, Zodiac or Se7en, and are looking for something with a psychological thriller twist, then Cure is the film for you.

Marnie McCrudden