Cast
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Seika Furuhata
as Ranko Takano
Junya Ikeda
as Toranosuke Yoshihara
Ai Moritaka
as Kana Totani
Yuki Saso
as Ikko Ebihara
Yuya Hirata
as Hiroto Sakuma
Megumi Mizoguchi
as Hinata Yagi
Koki Maeda
as Subaru Suga
Moe Nakamura
as Shiori Maki
Meiku Harukawa
as Kaede Umezu
Chihiro Suzuki
as Riku Kawai
Ryuichi Ando
as Takumi Sanmon
Crew
Director
- Shinya Ayabe
Producer
- Tadashi Iwabuchi
Reviews
Thematic Analysis
This Horror/Thriller film explores themes of fear and survival, delving into the psychological aspects of human nature when confronted with the unknown. The Werewolf Game: Lovers presents a unique perspective on the horror genre by focusing on the psychological terror rather than relying on typical jump scares.
Director Shinya Ayabe 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 2017, 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 The Werewolf Game: Lovers took approximately 32 months from pre-production to final cut.
- The final cut of the film runs for 108 minutes, though the director's initial assembly was reportedly 144 minutes long.
- The film contains approximately 1506 individual shots.
- The costume department created over 262 unique costume pieces for the production.
- The screenplay went through 9 major revisions before the final shooting script was approved.
Historical Context
- In 2017, when this film is released:
- Political polarization was intensifying in many countries.
- Streaming services were revolutionizing film and television consumption.
- Streaming platforms were disrupting traditional distribution models and changing how audiences consumed films.
How This Film Stands Out
While The Werewolf Game: Lovers shares thematic elements with other films in its genre, it distinguishes itself through its unique approach to storytelling, visual style, and character development.
Unlike Bound, which takes a more conventional approach to its subject matter, The Werewolf Game: Lovers subverts genre expectations by exploring its themes with greater nuance.
While films like One Hour Photo and Shallow Grave explore similar territory, The Werewolf Game: Lovers stands apart through its deeper exploration of its central themes and more complex characterization.
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: January 28, 2017
- Runtime: 1h 48m
