Reviews

The beauty and the pain of white lies.

Somehow does not hit the mark by not diving deep enough into the connections between the characters and separate stories. It’s for sure a light feel good slice of life comedy, but it’s so light there is little to actually feed the soul and make you reflect on different themes presented. It gave me less of a “found family” and more of a “found acquaintances”.

It started great. The way the drama sets the stage and the characters grabbed my attention right away. Since I did not read the synopsis I had no idea what the plot was about, so the funeral scene introducing the Rental Family business surprised me in a positive way - setting the tone for the movie perfectly.

I was ready for some questionable situations that even if at times feel a bit “wrong”, still give the positive and heartwarming message. A nice contrast between what is right and wrong, what feels right and wrong, and what brings the best or the least harmful consequences. I really liked the idea of a more realistic slice of life, where you can still sense how restricted the characters are by the society and its standards, and how they just try to navigate through it causing the least harm. But the movie never fully delivered.

Too many stories, too many characters and too many relationships, not enough screen time. Whenever it’s about Phillip’s changing priorities, becoming part of the team, Shinji Tada’s past story (that seems to be so complex it could be a movie itself, instead of getting 2-3 random scenes here and there), Aiko Nakajima’s dedication to the job and her struggle with setting boundaries, or any of the customer’s tales - nothing made me feel satisfied by the end.

I wish this was a short series - one or two episodes per customer. Give me some time to get attached, to care, to reflect on their individual struggles and what made them use the service in the first place. As a movie, a lot of progress and development was simply fast forwarded.

That said, I did enjoy the overall vibe of the film. It was less moving and more fun. The comedy was probably my favorite aspect - at times dry, but fitting the tone. While the performances were strong, since the story felt less deep, I was not exactly touched by any of the actor's portrayals of the characters. I expected to cry at least a few times, but at the end my eyes were perfectly dry.

Overall, fun, but less than what I expected. Somehow I am not quite satisfied with the second half, especially with how well the whole scenario was set up.

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Touching but confusing

I really love doomed yuri and this movie made me see a story which I haven't seen before and all 3 perhaps 4? stories moved me. I said 4 because the part at the end where they were together in the warm coats confused me if it was a part of the first story or it was KathLin from another new universe where they could finally be together. It was really moving and heart touching, totally worth to watch it but prepare to be confused. I never knew if they died or not. They showed their tragedy as something which was completely hopeless but towards the end they showed continuing scenes to their tragedies which made them look like they survived it but it kept still changing so to not be confused even more, I just take it like they truly died but are together in their afterlife where they can't die anymore. Still, FreenBecky always deliver and I've been excited for this movie since the trailer but after some time I forgot about it but now I returned to gl series and I'm in the mood for tragic stories so this one was really great.

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surprisingly beautiful

I cried the last 20 Minutes straight until the movie ends.
I didn't expected anything, didn't read or heard about it, just maybe a little hesitation if it will be like other school themed productions.
it surprised me so much and beautifully.
I liked everything about it:
the acting, the atmosphere, the music, the colors, the area they filmed at and I didn't knew before....and.... that it hadn't had a happy ending actually as well. usually I don't like it.
but in this case, it suits so well to everything.
the only thing I would have loved to know is, if ji-min and tae-hun got together ;)
totally recommendation from my side 🫰🏻

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heart bonds are beyond everything

I like the story, is remind me about an American version. What I like the most was the beauty, the love, the friendship, the easiness of life in this drama. Love doesn’t disappear when memories fade. It changes into something quieter, deeper, and harder to name. Heart bonds, body memory are beyond everything and you have to go inward to remember.

It is a beautiful memory of love and building a beautiful experience, and let's not forget that life is short, beautiful. And we are here to appreciate everything we experience. the story show us how to live the pain not to forget, or to bury. In today's reality, everyone is in a hurry, most of it is superficial, but simplicity, beauty, depth are precious for the soul, spirit and body. this one is an inspiration.

The sad ending was heartbreaking, but in the end I was also happy that she regain some of her memories. her friend Ji min, was my absolute favorite friend. Loyal, present, kind. She had so much on her shoulders, but in the end everything was so smooth rearrange.

You will not find any conflict, not fighting, not screaming, absurd parents. It was a lovely watch. The chemistry is nice. ML is so talented, and handsome. He has a bright future in acting, I saw him in other dramas. I like him.

Is not a great movie for me, but in this category it is a good one.

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I’m not crying, you are

So... I went into this completely blind. Haven’t read the novel, haven’t watched the 2022 Japanese adaptation, didn’t even really know what I was getting into. I just hit play on a whim (while I was suffering from a really bad stomach flu), so honestly I didn’t have any of the expectations that a lot of viewers probably came in with. Thankfully, I ended up being pleasantly surprised.

To give my own self credit, I watch enough films to usually have a decent sense of where things are heading as I'm watching a show in realtime, and for most of the first half for this movie, I thought I had the entire story figured out. Then the third act dropped and… yeah, I absolutely did not see that coming. That sudden emotional hit was what really sold the film for me. I like being proven wrong as a viewer, and this did exactly that.

There’s this constant, soft melancholy throughout the movie. Even though the setup is quite specific and circumstantial, it never pushes into full fantasy territory. It still feels like something that could exist within reality, which makes everything hit harder. At its core, the film is really about appreciating the ability to remember, to live in the moment, and to enjoy what you have, because I guess not everyone gets to do that.

We always say you can’t change people, but sometimes change happens without anyone noticing. You pick up habits, ways of thinking, or ways of caring because of someone’s presence, and only later do you realise how much they’ve shaped you. The film really taught me that.

I think this echoes in other reviews: As the film moves into its more emotionally demanding moments, the gentle tone established earlier starts to work against you in the best way possible. The shift makes the emotions hit deeper without ever feeling forced. Instead of pushing for tears, the story treats love and sacrifice with restraint, quietly raising the question of how much someone is willing to give up for another person’s happiness - and then leaving you to sit with that weight on your own.

Performance-wise, I wouldn’t say the cast completely blew me away, but everyone was solid.
Shin Shi Ah stood out the most for me. Her character wakes up each day disconnected from her own life, and Shin Shi Ah conveys that sense of disorientation with a lot of subtlety. The vulnerability feels real and grounded, never slipping into melodrama or turning the character into someone defined by pity. Choo Young Woo is steady and believable (I already know this watching him in Trauma Code). Jin Ho Eun also surprised me. I initially thought his character would be hard to like - especially since he’s so loved in Love in the Big City. But once again, the plot pulled the rug out from under me. He’s not really a villain at all. Jo Yoo Jung also held her own well, even though I haven’t seen her in anything before. She fit in naturally with the rest of the cast, and fared well in her solo scenes.

What I liked
- Simple, back-to-basics romance with lots of small, shy, sweet moments that don't feel overly trope-y
- The third act genuinely shocked me
- The music was well used and emotionally on point
- Nice attention to detail in terms of continuity and production

What didn’t quite work
- Jo Han Chul felt underused, especially given how strong a veteran actor he is
- The father–son relationship felt awkward and underdeveloped, with several ideas introduced but never fully explored
- The film felt a bit short; slightly better pacing or a longer runtime could’ve helped

In the end, it’s a film that draws you in gently and leaves you carrying a lingering emotional heaviness. One that hurts, but in a way that feels unexpectedly soothing.

I'll probably rewatch again one day if I'm snuggling in on a rainy weekend.

P.S. Keep tissues nearby. I don’t cry easily during films, but this one got me.

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A Terrific Adaptation

Honestly it was a terrific adaptation.

I don't remember the last scene happening in the manga... It's been years since I read it and the last volume that came out in my country is volume 5, so I know it's a bit behind the Japanese publication.

Anyway, I understand some people might be disappointed by the ending but it somewhat gives an openly satisfying ending to the movie...
If there's a sequel, that's great... but as there probably none coming, this probably is the best compromise they could reach given how the manga is still published and my GOD these two's relationship is even more tense and complicated in there. They're nowhere close to be together no matter how crazy about each other they are.

The acting was truly terrific. Both leads truly outdid themselves. The intimate scenes were really passionate and raw, something to really highlight here because Japan is not that good at them most of the time, but here?

They were just PERFECT.
Just again... Takeuchi Ryoma and Machida Keita just WOW 🥰🥰🥰

Anyway, as said, the end is the bit of a let down so I'm removing 0.5 for that... but honestly, they was just no time to do better which is also why I'm not holding it against the movie.

Well done, very well done Japan👍🏾👍🏾👍🏾

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is it truly that’s good or can it be better

story : the story is nice and well written everything is clear but compared to the Japanese one which is basically a remake it still lacking something I truly can’t put my finger on what this drama is missing to be perfect it was short and nice I would say that the drama needs more emotion through I personally believe that the actors and actresses could have put a bit more efforts for the emotional scenes it seemed rather bland to me when I was watching it I didn’t feel emotional captivated I felt sad but it went by really quickly like is death they should have shown more I just feel like it had potential but it really didn’t capture the essence of the story.






the actors and actress really put a lot into the movie and I can see that but I think we still need more they were used to they’re full potential some emotional scenes felt bland to me which makes the story seem rather ordinary

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The funniest horror movie I've watched

Oh my god this was hilarious even without comedy being one of the genres, because it was so bad! Towards the end I was in full on tears from laughing because what happened there?

Let's start with the positives, because the horror - was horrifying. Lots of jumpscares, a decent amount of gore, I'd say it was better than movie two as far as the scare factor goes.

Another thing which I've always appreciated about this series is the emotional bondage to the characters - which, once again, they nailed. Good on them, because if they hadn't done this properly, the movie would have literally no redeeming factor. The family and their extended family is what keeps the plot interesting even when it isn't.

Because the plot, wow, the plot - if the last part was two movies in one, this was like 10 in one. So much happening! Seriously, I was clutching my stomach reeling from laughter the more I watch, it wasn't even scary after that. Just for reference, the first film worked because it was set in a single location and focused entirely on their family, not despite. Granted, there was more interaction between the siblings in this one than the last, it was still not enough. You don't have to go on adventures every other movie to make things interesting.

One minute they're at home, the next a forest, abandoned village, horror cave, I don't get it. There are so many new "one-and-done" characters who add nothing to the plot, and the explanation I've been craving for three movies was laughable. Lady is out here haunting because she hates love?

The story was so incredibly weak, I couldn't explain how all over the place it was even if I tried. It's not a terrible movie by any means but watching the last two has given me newfound appreciation for part one. If you must watch for continuity purposes, you can do it, but I'm sure there are other scarier and more coherent horror movies you can watch. I've learned that horror movies are never completely logical or coherent, but I've got to say, there's definitely got to be ones better than this.

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"In my boring life a chance for adventure has arrived"

There are some films that resonant not because of extraordinary acting or a compelling story, but rather the way the director wields his brush and paints a film alive with deft and mysterious strokes. Such was Labyrinth of Dreams for me.

Tomiko is jarred when her friend Tsuyako, a bus conductor like herself, is killed in a tragic accident. Tomiko and her other friend, Chieko, do not believe it was an accident. Rumor of a bus driver who is a serial killer has been making the rounds for some time. When he tires of a conductor romantically, he kills her, making it look like an accident. When Niitaka Tatsuo is hired at Tomiko’s bus line, Tomiko becomes determined to avenge her friend. The only problem is…she falls in love with the handsome, and possibly deadly driver.

The movie was filmed in black and white and based on a story written in the early 1930s. Due to the clothes, hairstyles, and bus model, the setting was ambiguous, but suffice to say it was set in the days of yore. Much of the “dialogue” was in letter writing form between Tomiko and Chieko and prior to her death between Tsuyako and Tomiko. A young Asano Tadanobu played the enigmatic Tatsuo. A man of few words he was served up as a sizzling sexy entre with a side order of menacing eyes. Seventeen-year-old Komine Rena wasn’t as strong in the acting department but did her best as the bored conductor who had a sexual awakening in the dangerous arms of Tatsuo. As Tomiko said, “Life was miserable and lonely. I wrestled with fate until the end.”

Director Ishii Gakuryu created a gauzy dreamlike film often obscuring the audience’s view with darkness, rain, clouds, even forest leaves. Blurred frames swirled the changes of scenes. The film was filled with symbolism. Battered moths struggled to free themselves from a vase or were attracted to a hot light impotently bashing their wings against it. There was little music and what there was of it was simple. Most often the natural sounds of rain, wind, or surf filled in for the lack of score. Several times complete silence or a blank screen were used to jar the viewer. Ishii kept the audience guessing whether Tatsuo was a cold-blooded killer or a figment of an overactive imagination.

Labyrinth of Dreams was an odd story of love, lust, and the intoxication of danger. Dreamily shot, the monochrome format only added to the mystery and claustrophobic atmosphere. This art house film will not be for the broader audience, but if you enjoy a film that is more experience than narrative it might be one to try. I’ll be looking for more of Ishii’s films to be sure.

“If both held their courses, then they would collide in 9 seconds and catastrophe would be inevitable.”

6 February 2026

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