Cast
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Nat Wolff
as Light Turner
LaKeith Stanfield
as L
Margaret Qualley
as Mia Sutton
Shea Whigham
as James Turner
Willem Dafoe
as Ryuk (voice)
Jason Liles
as Ryuk
Paul Nakauchi
as Watari
Jack Ettlinger
as Kenny Doyle
Matthew Kevin Anderson
as Agent Young
Chris Britton
as Peltz
Timothy Lambert
as Dr. Norman Ludlam
Kwesi Ameyaw
as Undercover Agent #1
Justin Stone
as Undercover Agent #2
Christian Sloan
as Agent Franks
Artin John
as Anthony Skomal
Crew
Director
- Adam Wingard
Producer
- Roy Lee
- Masi Oka
- Dan Lin
- Jason Hoffs
- Ted Sarandos
Reviews
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_Death Note_ - _★★★★_
While different from the anime, and surely the manga, Death Note is an enjoyable adaption. If you watched the anime, you know that the series’s first episode titled “Rebirth” starts out in the Shinigami Realm. We unfortunately do not see this scene or ever visit the Shinigami Realm but I think that’s just fine for this adaption as when we meet Ryuk for the first time, it’s so cool and terrifying at the same time. The film didn’t feel rushed despite having a fast pace but I never felt lost. In addition, the killings were gruesome. Also let me just say Margaret Qualley is bae to unbelievable max. Her Mia Sutton (originally Misa Amane) is just UGH <3 Nat Wolff was actually fairly decent as Light Turner (originally Light Yagami). Keith Stanfield as L was different but not totally in a negative way. And as expected, WILLEM DAFOE AS RYUK IS PERFECT!
Aug 25, 2017
Star
Despite tentative hopes, the Netflix live action movie for Death Note was painful to watch. Watching with my husband and another friend who was a fan of the original anime, we switched it off after 10 minutes soon after Light's girly screaming. I did manage to play the rest on my own while multi-tasking since I felt I owed it that much. The shinigami Ryuk was the one cool thing, even if they changed his amused observer role the acting and effects for him were great. Everything else though? Instead of a top role model perfect student equally liked by fellow students and adults, Light became a whiney emo brat with so many issues. Mia, who filled in for Misa's role, instead of sweet ditzy but still somewhat smart (and definitely loyal to a fault in her love) just became a *itch. Now I always rooted for L, but these two are our protagonists of the story and unlike the original source, I could find nothing likable or admirable about them. The gore-fest was also distracting. Death Note is a very toned down thriller with most deaths happening naturally with heart attacks, implied suicides, hit by a car and so on but expect Final Destination shock-factor and gory deaths in this adaption.
Oct 5, 2017
Thematic Analysis
This Crime/Fantasy/Horror film explores themes of fear and survival, delving into the psychological aspects of human nature when confronted with the unknown. Death Note presents a unique perspective on the horror genre by blending supernatural elements with realistic human reactions.
Director Adam Wingard 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 Death Note took approximately 14 months from pre-production to final cut.
- With a budget of $40.0 million, the film represented a significant investment in bringing this story to the screen.
- The final cut of the film runs for 101 minutes, though the director's initial assembly was reportedly 145 minutes long.
- The film contains approximately 1825 individual shots.
- Some visual effects sequences took up to 7 months to complete.
- The cast underwent specialized training for 6 weeks before filming began.
Historical Context
- In 2017, when this film is released:
- Streaming services were revolutionizing film and television consumption.
- Smartphones and social media had transformed daily life and communication.
- Streaming platforms were disrupting traditional distribution models and changing how audiences consumed films.
How This Film Stands Out
While Death Note shares thematic elements with other films in its genre, it distinguishes itself through its unique approach to storytelling, visual style, and character development.
Unlike Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind, which takes a more conventional approach to its subject matter, Death Note offers a fresh perspective through its innovative visual language and narrative structure.
While films like Greed and Perfume: The Story of a Murderer explore similar territory, Death Note stands apart through its deeper exploration of its central themes and more complex characterization.
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: August 25, 2017
- Runtime: 1h 41m
- Budget: $40,000,000
Where to Watch
