The story seems to be some vague wishy washy allegory that leaves the audience to decipher what it means for themselves. Nothing is explained or hinted at or even really explainable. Felt like we were watching the world's worst interpretive dance or something. That wouldn't be too bad I suppose if the whole entire thing was stylized in a surreal way. But instead you have rural Japan, a very plain area, that does very little to allude to the surreality that develops within the movie. And the people saying it's about millennial guilt never seem to explain why it's about that. Because nothing in the story holds water to support that.

Japanese cinema is celebrated for its refined minimalist dramas and avant-garde experimentation; it also introduced popular genres like jidaigeki (samurai epics), kaiju, and anime. Across both high art and mass entertainment, it often explores morality, impermanence, and the pressures of modern life.

Hidetoshi Nishijima and Tôko Miura in Drive My Car (2021)

The folk horror subgenre features themes of rural folklore, pagan beliefs, and the supernatural or uncanny elements associated with rural or isolated settings. Folk horror often explores the clash between ancient, often pre-Christian traditions and modern society, blurring the line between the natural and the supernatural.

The psychological horror subgenre features psychological tension, fear, and suspense to evoke feelings of dread and unease in the audience. Rather than relying solely on graphic violence or jump scares, psychological horror focuses on the psychological and emotional experiences of characters, often exploring their inner fears, anxieties, and perceptions.

The horror genre features stories that aim to elicit fear, suspense, and a sense of dread in its audience. Horror stories often explore themes related to the unknown, the supernatural, and the macabre, and they frequently evoke strong emotional reactions such as anxiety, terror, and unease.

The mystery genre features the investigation and solving of a puzzle, typically a crime or an enigmatic event. Mysteries are known for their suspenseful narratives, intricate plots, and the challenge they present to readers or viewers to piece together clues and solve the central mystery alongside the characters.

Jack Nicholson, Faye Dunaway, and Kelvin Harrison Jr. in Chinatown (1974)

A young woman navigates a discovery within her immediate family only to find much more.

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