Ghost Theater Explained

Ghost Theater
Native Name:劇場霊
Director:Hideo Nakata
Producer:Yasushi Akimoto
Writers:-->
Screenplay:Junya Kato
Ryuta Miyake
Story:Hideo Nakata
Starring:Haruka Shimazaki
Mantaro Koichi
Rika Adachi
Riho Takada
Keita Machida
Ikuji Nakamura
Narrators:-->
Music:Kenji Kawai
Studio:Django Films
Production Companies:-->
Distributor:Shochiku
Distributors:-->
Runtime:99 minutes
Country:Japan
Language:Japanese

is a 2015 Japanese horror film directed by Hideo Nakata and a remake of Don't Look Up (1996).[1] It was released on November 21, 2015.[2]

In May 2018, an anthology series based on the film was released in the United States on Toku.

Synopsis

Sara (Haruka Shimazaki) is a young actress who gained her a small role in a stage play directed by Gota Nishikino (Mantaro Koichi). Sara is admired by the leading actresses Aoi (Riho Takada) and Kaori (Rika Adachi), who are practicing hard every day. But then, a female staff member is found dead in the theater. While the police are investigating the situation, Aoi falls down from a balcony and loses consciousness. Due to her injuries she won't be able to play the leading role, Gota gives the part to Sara to takeover her lead role. But Sara has got to learn very soon that having the leading role is not to her advantage as she learns that somebody or something is trying to end the production at all cost, which puts Sara in deadly danger.

Cast

Release

The film was part of the Midnight Passion section of the 20th Busan International Film Festival.[1]

Reception

Box office

The film grossed on its opening weekend in Japan.[3]

Critical response

Maggie Lee of Variety responded negatively to the film, stating that "Hideo Nakata sinks to new lows with this creaky and vacuous backstage thriller."[1]

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Busan Film Review: 'Ghost Theater'. Maggie Lee. October 6, 2015. October 10, 2015. variety.com.
  2. Web site: 劇場霊(2015). October 10, 2015. allcinema. Stingray. Japanese.
  3. Web site: Local youth fares top Japan box office. Kevin Ma. 25 November 2015. November 25, 2015. Film Business Asia. https://web.archive.org/web/20160608204654/http://www.filmbiz.asia/news/local-youth-fares-top-japan-box-office. 8 June 2016.