Cast
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Anna Yamada
as Nozaki Haruka
Hiroya Shimizu
as Mitsuru Aiba
Rinka Otani
as Taeko Oguro
Rena Ohtsuka
as Rumi Sayama
Seina Nakata
as Yoshie Tachibana
Ayaka Konno
as Risako Kato
Arisa Sakura
as Yuri Mishima
Kenshin Endo
as Hidetoshi Kuga
Kazuki Ōtomo
as Hiroaki Mamiya
Masato Endo
as Tsutomu Ikegawa
Aki Morita
as Kyoko Minami
Masahiro Toda
as Nozaki Kazuo
Sena Tamayori
as Shoko Nozaki
Reiko Kataoka
as Risakou Kato
Minori Terada
as Michio Nozaki
Crew
Director
- Eisuke Naito
Writer
- Miako Tadano
Reviews
Thematic Analysis
This Horror/Thriller/Drama film explores themes of fear and survival, delving into the psychological aspects of human nature when confronted with the unknown. Liverleaf presents a unique perspective on the horror genre by focusing on the psychological terror rather than relying on typical jump scares.
Director Eisuke Naito 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 character development and emotional depth creates a viewing experience that rewards close attention.
Released in 2018, 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 Liverleaf took approximately 33 months from pre-production to final cut.
- The final cut of the film runs for 114 minutes, though the director's initial assembly was reportedly 156 minutes long.
- Several scenes were filmed in multiple locations to capture the perfect setting.
- The musical score contains over 69 unique compositions.
- The cast underwent specialized training for 5 weeks before filming began.
Historical Context
- In 2018, when this film is released:
- Smartphones and social media had transformed daily life and communication.
- Climate change awareness was becoming a central global concern.
- Streaming platforms were disrupting traditional distribution models and changing how audiences consumed films.
How This Film Stands Out
While Liverleaf 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 Funeral, which focuses more on action than character development, Liverleaf offers a fresh perspective through its innovative visual language and narrative structure.
While films like King of the Ants and Alien Implant explore similar territory, Liverleaf stands apart through its distinctive directorial vision and pacing.
This film's unique contribution to cinema lies in its bold artistic choices and willingness to challenge viewer expectations, making it a valuable addition to its genre.
Details
- Release Date: April 7, 2018
- Runtime: 1h 54m
Where to Watch
