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Kuroneko

Play trailer Poster for Kuroneko 1968 1h 39m Horror Fantasy Play Trailer Watchlist
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96% Tomatometer 24 Reviews 85% Popcornmeter 500+ Ratings
In this ghost story based on a folk tale of feudal Japan, a group of samurai mercenaries led by Raiko Minamoto storm the home of Yone and her daughter, Shigei, pillaging their food before raping and murdering the pair and finally burning the house down. When the samurai are set upon by vengeful vampire-like ghosts, it falls to the warrior Gintoki to slay the malicious spirits, but his connection to the victims leads to conflict.

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Kuroneko

Critics Reviews

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J. Hoberman The New York Review of Books 08/14/2020
The movie's implacable sense of poetic justice is only equaled by its graphic smarts. Go to Full Review
Scott Tobias AV Club 07/25/2018
B+
With Kuroneko, Shindô obscures the thin line separating the dead from the living-through which spirits, sin, and passion move freely. Go to Full Review
Ty Burr Boston Globe 10/28/2010
3.5/4
There's a witchy, atmospheric timelessness to the movie that extends well past the unadorned sets. Go to Full Review
David Pountain Vague Visages 12/12/2023
Kuroneko's otherworldly visuals evoke a reality shaped by great and sinister powers, and a world where fate will always scupper the impudent plans of hubristic men. Go to Full Review
Sean Axmaker Stream on Demand 10/29/2022
It’s one of the greatest of Japanese ghost stories, a horror film of elemental drive, social commentary, feminist rage, and visual grace ... Go to Full Review
Ian Thomas Malone ianthomasmalone.com 03/07/2022
Shindo delivers a triumph of the horror genre as he explores his painful themes. Go to Full Review
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Audience Reviews

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Matthew A @iWupp 8h They did such a great job of making this entire film feel ethereal. The combination of the black and white image, flowing fabrics and use of smoke create an unworldly atmosphere. Specifically the way they shot the interior of that house was stunning. Using double exposure they overlayed the interior shot over a moving shot through the bamboo forest. It creates both a haunting yet beautiful image. It gives the impression that this building doesn't exist within reality, it's just floating through space, time and the bamboo forest. Another aspect of the filmmaking I love here is the use of the flowing fabrics. Often times there will be flowing fabrics all about, either behind or even in front of characters. Doing so creates layers to the image similarly to the layers of a bamboo forest. Speaking of layers, this film incorporates a ton of double exposed shots and they all look phenomenal and add to the ghostly atmosphere. See more K B @Kenneth113 Feb 8 This is a wonderful fable set in feudal Japan in the samurai era, very beautifully and powerfully filmed. Many of the scenes are aesthetically lovely--great cinematography. Out of the ordinary---it will refresh your eyes. See more Larry M. @Wind-up-bird Nov 1 Thelma and Louise but as vampire black cat ghosts. What's not to love? See more Lau S @LaurainSilentill Jul 29 Great Japanese movie! I little bit outdated, but I liked it! See more Lily R @lllikll 05/19/2025 Great Japanese movie! When of the all time bests! Alot of atmosphere and suspense! See more Laura S @Lauraqueen 03/17/2025 Favorite Japanese horror movie! See more Read all reviews
Kuroneko

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Movie Info

Synopsis In this ghost story based on a folk tale of feudal Japan, a group of samurai mercenaries led by Raiko Minamoto storm the home of Yone and her daughter, Shigei, pillaging their food before raping and murdering the pair and finally burning the house down. When the samurai are set upon by vengeful vampire-like ghosts, it falls to the warrior Gintoki to slay the malicious spirits, but his connection to the victims leads to conflict.
Director
Kaneto Shindô
Screenwriter
Kaneto Shindô
Genre
Horror, Fantasy
Original Language
Japanese
Release Date (DVD)
Oct 18, 2011
Runtime
1h 39m