Bakemono (film) explained

Bakemono
Director:	Doug Roos
Producer:	Doug Roos
Starring:	Takashi Irie Dominic Early Marilyn Kawakami Yukina Takase
Music:	Doug Roos
Cinematography:	Doug Roos
Editing:	Doug Roos
Studio:	Lost Forever Productions
Distributor:	Midori Impuls
Runtime:	101 minutes^[1]
Country:	Japan
Language:	Japanese

Bakemono is a 2023 Japanese horror film, written and directed by Doug Roos. It stars Takashi Irie as the proprietor of a cheap Tokyo airbnb.

Plot

A number of visitors frequent the same airbnb apartment in Tokyo at different times without realizing a gruesome monster is waiting for them.^[2]

Cast

• Takashi Irie as Mitsuo
• Dominic Early as Chris
• Marilyn Kawakami as Anna
• Yukina Takase as Tomoko

Production

The film was shot on location for over 80 days in Tokyo with all practical effects and no computer-generated imagery (CGI) inspired largely by The Thing.^[3]

Release

Bakemono premiered at Another Hole in the Head Film Festival in San Francisco at the 4 Star Theater on December 9th, 2023.^[4] It will be released on German DVD/Blu-ray Mediabook from Midori Impuls while an English-subtitled Blu-ray is available on crowdfunding sites.^[5]

Reception

Brendan Jesus of HorrorPress.com called the film "one of the most compelling creature features of the last 20 years" while adding that it is "rich with atmosphere, blood, and an unsettling score."^[6] HorrorDNA.com rated it 3.5 out of 5, saying "whether you check out Bakemono for the goopy practical FX and monster madness or the underlying social critique, you're in for a gory treat that comes at you in an unconventional way and leaves a mark."^[7] Anton Bitel at ProjectedFigures.com wrote that it has "astonishing practical effects" and an "unnerving score."^[8] Nicolas Kirks at HorrorBuzz.com gave it 7 out of 10, describing it as "suspenseful and funny when it wants to be."^[9] Darren Lucas at Movie Reviews 101 noted that the monster is "one of the most disturbing creatures you will see this year. The movie never holds back and leaves you shocked by everything you experienced."^[10]

Awards

Festival awards! Festival !! Award

Another Hole in the Head Film Festival	Best Creature Feature
A Night of Horror Film Festival	Best Practical Effects
Bay of Blood Film Festival	Best Beast
Bare Bones Film Festival	Best Foreign Origin Feature
Japan Film Fest Hamburg	Best Genre Production

Notes and References

1. Web site: Bakemono 20th Annual Another Hole in the Head Film Festival. Another Hole in the Head Film Festival Eventive. 2024-08-28.
2. Web site: Stunning Japanese Creature Feature. Caffrey. Dan. Bloody Disgusting. 2024-01-30. 2024-08-28.
3. Web site: Exclusive Comments Plus Teaser Trailers for Practical Effects Creature Feature Bakemono. Gingold. Michael. Rue Morgue. 2023-05-03. 2024-08-28.
4. Web site: Bakemono, Theatrical Premiere at Another Hole in the Head Film Festival on Dec 9th in San Francisco. Joy. Mike. HorrorNews.net. 2023-12-01. 2024-08-28.
5. Web site: All Practical FX Monster Movie Bakemono Racks Up Awards at Film Festivals and Secures German Distribution. Joy. Mike. HorrorNews.net. 2024-07-15. 2024-08-28.
6. Web site: REVIEW Tokyo Horror Film Festival 2024 Bakemono is an Unconventional Creature Feature. Jesus. Brendan. HorrorPress.com. 2024-07-25. 2024-08-28.
7. Web site: Bakemono - Horror DNA. Monroe. Stuart. HorrorDNA.com. 2024-03-04. 2024-08-28.
8. Web site: Bakemono (2023) - Projected Figures. Bitel. Anton. ProjectedFigures.com. 2024-01-02. 2024-08-28.
9. Web site: Bakemono - HorrorBuzz. HorrorBuzz.com. 2024-05-21. 2024-08-28.
10. Web site: Discover the Gruesome Creature of Bakemono Movie Review. Movie Reviews 101. 2023-12-31. 2024-08-28.