Naguriaien (2021)

The suspense feeling is unexpected! And the film style is interesting.

I was so nervous the entire time.. The constant feeling of knowing that the character might be in trouble is really nerve-wracking haha
The fast paced story is making it worse too! It was quite a surprising ride. But I quite enjoy it!

I'll recommend this to people who're interested in suspense genre with a bit disturbing surprises haha

This film got an interesting style! The camera works, sound and how they decided what to do for some scene are things that you might find in older films and drama. I realize they decided to use outdated/old fashion sounds, effect and camera works for this film, rather than trying to make it as realistic as possible. Which makes it a bit creepier for me and that's probably their goal.. in that note, I rate this film based on those intention I see.

The story are great! It was quite a disturbing story.. With lots of surprises that keeps me staring at the screen while sitting in the edge of my seat. There's even parts that I rewind because of how surprised I am.
But I do think the story are too fast paced, as if they need to squish 3 episode worth to 2 episode. And while watching this, you better not overthink the realistic side of the story, cause there is some part that have so little possibilities of happening.. But then again, realistic side isn't what they want to sell here.

Sadly, for now. I haven't found any English subbed one. I do hope someone will do it in the future. so more people can enjoy this like I do :)

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Nice attempt at a throwback to gritty 'dorodoro' melodramas soap but doesn't quite commit

This drama special is a self contained story and from the first few minutes it's apparent that it's not to be taken seriously. Over the top tropes and corny narration are a plenty and hammy over acting and corny dialogue are everywhere. This is a self aware show that could be described as a parody but I think there was a huge element of sincerity here that perhaps more homage is appropriate. Home and appreciation for those older melodramatic gritty soap dramas it seems to be inspired by, albeit tongue heavily planted in cheek. This is what I like in a modern sort of send up but I just felt it missed the mark and didn't truly commit.

The first 20 minutes of episode 1 were fantastic but then the show seemed to forget what style of show it was and started to almost become like a regular tv show (except in with that lens it becomes rather dull). Later it flipped back again into overdrive for the second part. I was left feeling a bit confused in the middle and starting to lose interest. I really wanted it to go in harder with its OTT throwback style melodrama. The finale also felt a bit silly and a little too out left field for me (even in the context of being crazy on purpose).

What the show did excel at was delicious excessive use of Checkov's Gun type story telling where small details such as a protagonist being a pole vaulter in school etc. would soon return and be "relevant" somehow. These moments were hysterical as you could seem them about to happen and those "oh that's why" moments were satisfying. But, I just wanted more. More cliches, more forced exposition, more cheap shoehorned a-ha moments. More commitment to what it was trying to do.

That said I'm very here for this sort of genre and will be checking out the screenwriters other longer shows. I did get the sense that this was all a bit too rushed to fit into a 1 hour 30 special. The absence of episodic cliffhangers likely hurt it too. The performances were outrageous and it's just a really great bit of fun on a lazy afternoon that doesn't ask too much of you but won't stay with you for very long after.

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