Kumiko, the Treasure Hunter

Play trailer

Kumiko, the Treasure Hunter

2015

1h 45m

Drama

Adventure

Play Trailer

Watchlist

Watchlist

Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

88%

Tomatometer

135 Reviews

64%

Popcornmeter

5,000+ Ratings

Frustrated with her mundane life, a Tokyo office worker (Rinko Kikuchi) becomes obsessed with a fictional movie that she mistakes for a documentary. Fixating on a scene where stolen cash is buried in North Dakota, she travels to America to find it.

Watch on Fandango at Home

Stream Now

Critics Consensus

Powerfully acted and lovely to look at, Kumiko, the Treasure Hunter offers a treat for cinephiles with a taste for the pleasantly peculiar.

Read Critics Reviews

Candice Frederick

Reel Talk Online

09/01/2017

B+

The film isn't polished, perhaps on purpose, but it's endearing, special even.

Go to Full Review

Patrick Z. McGavin

Chicago Sun-Times

12/15/2015

3/4

The entrancing fifth feature of the Zellner brothers, Kumiko the Treasure Hunter, is like found art in the beguiling, haunting manner it combines the seemingly ridiculous and desperate with an ineffable and quiet sadness.

Go to Full Review

Emily St. James

Vox

12/15/2015

4/5

If there's one thing Kumiko the Treasure Hunter proves beyond the shadow of a doubt, it's that Rinko Kikuchi is a movie star in the making.

Go to Full Review

Diego Batlle

Otroscines.com

11/02/2022

3.5/5

Hallucinating and climatic, absurd and sensible, Goliath's creators tell the story of a Japanese antihero vagabonding through invernal passages on her way to North Dakota. [Full review in Spanish]

Go to Full Review

Q.V. Hough

Vague Visages

06/30/2022

"Heart-warming and often hilarious, 'Kumiko the Treasure Hunter' reminds that individuality may take one a long way given the right conditions. Chase your treasures with confidence and be prepared."

Go to Full Review

Michael J. Casey

Michael J. Cinema

09/28/2021

4.5/5

The Zellner Brothers write, produce, and direct (and act a little) Kumiko with such a steady hand that it never slips into total fact or total fiction.

Go to Full Review

Read all reviews

Gregg B

@Greggg Mar 10

This is a slow build with a disappointing finish. There are a couple of endearing moments but it just doesn’t make up for the quiet pointless waste of time. And it doesn’t matter who made it or what they’ve done before this move doesn’t live up to the critics accolades.

See more

John V.

@xvfxdude Mar 3

NOT a comedy. Depressing without direction.

See more

Anthony F

@Anthony999 Feb 17

You maybe expecting a comedy, satire, or homage to Fargo, but "Kumiko.." is none of those things. It flirts with tragedy and emotional disturbance, but in the end is really about how our obsessions and fantasies can break the boundaries of an unhappy, unfulfilled life. The film works so well thanks to the empathetic performance of Rinko Kikuchi. She carries the movie from the first moment to the final fantastical finale. I highly recommend this film for the more open-minded adventurous filmgoer.

See more

Ry N

@RyGuy Jan 20

A woman in Japan watches Fargo and thinks it's a treasure map. This urban legend is drawn out with very little plot and an "oh there it is" roll credits ending.

See more

matthias s

@Thescreenasvor 01/15/2024

"Kumiko, The Treasure Hunter" leaves much to be desired, earning a lackluster two stars from this viewer. Despite a really good plot foundation, the film falls short in execution. The main actress fails to evoke empathy, leaving the audience disconnected from her journey. Expectations build throughout, only to be met with a disappointingly predictable ending. The film's pacing is hindered by a bland and boring first act, making it tempting to skip ahead. While the concept is undoubtedly great, it becomes clear that a great idea alone doesn't carry a film. The visuals are appealing, and everything looks great, but the lack of emotional engagement and the predictable narrative prevent this potential gem from shining. In the end, "Kumiko" offers a promising premise that unfortunately fails to deliver a truly captivating cinematic experience.

See more

@RT70835685 07/23/2023

B. I'm not sure it would have made as much sense if i hadnt watched the original movie Fargo. A woman following her own path in life is something thats not explored much/done well in films which made it really great to see Kumiko do.

See more

Read all reviews

Read More

Read Less

POST RATING

WRITE A REVIEW

EDIT REVIEW

David Zellner

Director

Rinko Kikuchi

Kumiko

Nobuyuki Katsube

Sakagami

Nathan Zellner

Robert

Kanako Higashi

Michi

Ayaka Ohnishi

Chieko

Wildlike

93%

77%

Wildlike

Watchlist

TRAILER

for Wildlike

Big Miracle

74%

64%

Big Miracle

Watchlist

In Search of Fellini

100%

74%

In Search of Fellini

Watchlist

TRAILER

for In Search of Fellini

Carmo, Hit the Road

29%

33%

Carmo, Hit the Road

Watchlist

Nayak

100%

92%

Nayak

Watchlist

Discover more movies and TV shows.

View More

Best Movies Off the Radar 2015

Now Streaming: Lawrence of Arabia, Insomnia, And More

Now Streaming: Wild Tales, Nightcrawler, and More

View more photos

Synopsis

Frustrated with her mundane life, a Tokyo office worker (Rinko Kikuchi) becomes obsessed with a fictional movie that she mistakes for a documentary. Fixating on a scene where stolen cash is buried in North Dakota, she travels to America to find it.

Director: David Zellner
Producer: Nathan Zellner, Cameron Lamb, Chris Ohlson, Andrew Banks, Jim Burke
Screenwriter: David Zellner, Nathan Zellner
Distributor: Amplify
Production Co: Ad Hominem Enterprises, Lila 9th Productions
Genre: Drama, Adventure
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Mar 20, 2015, Limited
Rerelease Date (Theaters): Mar 22, 2024
Release Date (Streaming): Aug 10, 2016
Box Office (Gross USA): $621.1K
Runtime: 1h 45m
Aspect Ratio: Scope (2.35:1)

Most Popular at Home Now