Tomie (1998)
Synopsis
If you’re a fan of horror-movie banshi’s, Tomie, directed by Ataru Oikawa is one you don’t want to miss. This Japanese film that follows the manga by Junji Ito has one of the eeriest over-the-top plots ever. The movie revolves around a beautiful female apparition who draws in her victims and eventually kills them. The film begins with a decapitated girl who is killed and her headless corpse mysteriously vanishes into thin air. Returning once again to the people she has once blessed, Tomie’s reignites the horror when she reveals her regenerative ability and her propensity to kill once again.
The film also balances fame and love as throw-aways of obsessive jealousy while portraying the supernatural in an interesting and engaging manner.
Awards & Wins
Although Tomie never got the main awards it did receive fan cult appreciation and emerged as a leading actor in J – horror film production that reached its peak in the late 90’s and early 2000’s.
Cast & Crew
- Director: Ataru Oikawa
- Writer: Ataru Oikawa – his story was based on a graphic novel created by Junji Ito.
- Main Cast:
- Miho Kanno as Tomie Kawakami: The mysterious and immortal villain.
Eri Otoguro earned the part of Tsukiko Izumisawa, the protagonist in a dream whose terror is Tomie. Tomi is behind nightmares and Tsukiko is the main character of the uk film.
- Toru Nara starring as Takuya Yamamoto, another character woken at Tomie’s ominous charm.
- – Sayaka Akimoto stars Detective Harada getting curious about happenings surrounding Tomie in the film.
IMD-D Ratings
- Ima Score 5.3 out of 10 because of portraying its story with great atmosphere but some people find it problematic in terms of pacing and narrative coherence.
Personal Observations
The Tomie film is built on Junji Ito’s psychosocial horror in a complex and insecure look at things. Kanno’s portrayal of Tomie is striking, she has magnificence enveloped in menace. The visual effects are weak, typical of low budget films, but it is the tense atmosphere and slow burning tension that makes it stand out.
The fans of the artistic source don’t let themselves be bored because they see an interesting adaptation of the work of their favourite artist, but they are unlikely to feel that the depth of Ito’s works is completely broadcast. The main idea of the film is that of a beautiful woman who cannot died and cannot be understood no husband, sister or brother and son but only compassion and this is overwhelming for the main characters portraying the overwhelming controlled rage of society.
Cultural Importance
Tomie is a work of great importance “J-horror” in short can be described as fusion of psychological horror and supernatural aspects.
Kawasaki Tomie horrible.books Tomi Kawakami how terrible Japanese horror is, today this name is associated with a lot of things such as: death, blood, beauty. Its themes of immortality and the unsettling human nature are understood through art.
The film laid the groundwork for a number of sequels and adaptations, making Kawakami Tomie a household name. What distinguishes it and what makes it a must-see is its perfect depiction of j-horror and Junji Ito’s storytelling.