Cast
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Eriko Sato
as Kyôko Yamashita
Haruhiko Kato
as Noboru Matsuzaki
Chiharu Kawai
as Mayumi Sasaki
Rie Kuwana
as Mika Sasaki
Kazuyuki Matsuzawa
as Hideo Tamura
Kaori Sakagami
as Saori Tamura
Sakina Kuwae
as Natsuki Tamura
Yûto Kawase
as Masatoshi Kita
Ryoko Takizawa
as Kazuko Yoshida
Saaya
as Shiho Nakajima
May Tanaka
as Yukiko Yoshida
Aoi Shimoyama
as Shingo Kuwabata
Kouichiro Nishi
as Kyoko's Ex-Husband
Hiroto Itô
as Young Noboru
Ayu Kanesaki
as Ai Ôno
Crew
Director
- Koji Shiraishi
Writer
- Naoyuki Yokota
- Koji Shiraishi
Producer
- Nobumasa Miyazawa
- Yoshimitsu Yoshitsuru
- Shuntarô Kanai
Reviews
Thematic Analysis
This Horror film explores themes of fear and survival, delving into the psychological aspects of human nature when confronted with the unknown. Carved: The Slit-Mouthed Woman presents a unique perspective on the horror genre by focusing on the psychological terror rather than relying on typical jump scares.
Director Koji Shiraishi brings their distinctive visual style to this film, continuing their exploration of themes seen in their previous works while adding new elements. Their approach to pacing and visual storytelling creates a viewing experience that rewards close attention.
Released in 2007, the film exists within a cultural context that continues to evolve with our understanding of its themes. Its reception demonstrates the diverse reactions to its artistic choices and its place in cinema history.
Did You Know?
- The production of Carved: The Slit-Mouthed Woman took approximately 34 months from pre-production to final cut.
- With a budget of $34.6 million, the film proved to be a financial success, earning back its investment and more.
- The final cut of the film runs for 90 minutes, though the director's initial assembly was reportedly 132 minutes long.
- The costume department created over 444 unique costume pieces for the production.
- Several scenes were filmed in multiple locations to capture the perfect setting.
- The director insisted on using practical effects whenever possible, reserving CGI for only the most necessary scenes.
Historical Context
- In 2007, when this film is released:
- Environmental concerns were becoming more mainstream.
- The September 11 attacks changed global security and politics.
- Digital filmmaking technologies were transforming production processes and creating new opportunities.
How This Film Stands Out
While Carved: The Slit-Mouthed Woman shares thematic elements with other films in its genre, it distinguishes itself through its unique approach to storytelling, visual style, and character development.
Unlike The Order, which takes a more conventional approach to its subject matter, Carved: The Slit-Mouthed Woman offers a fresh perspective through its innovative visual language and narrative structure.
While films like Kuntilanak Kesurupan and Devil's Harvest explore similar territory, Carved: The Slit-Mouthed Woman stands apart through its distinctive directorial vision and pacing.
This film's unique contribution to cinema lies in its thoughtful balance of entertainment value and thematic depth, making it a valuable addition to its genre.
Details
- Release Date: March 16, 2007
- Runtime: 1h 30m
- Budget: $34,600,000
- Revenue: $45,900,000
Where to Watch
