Re/Member is a Japanese horror-thriller movie that tells the story of a high school girl named Asuka whose life drastically changes on July 5th. She receives a mysterious message at night that frightens her. Later that same day, Asuka and five of her classmates find themselves trapped in a deadly murder game orchestrated by a psychopathic killer known as the Red Man. Each time they wake up, they find themselves reliving the same day over and over again, and their only way out is to find the hidden body parts of the victim.
The group must continue to relive the same day, and each time, they are killed off one by one by the Red Man. Asuka and her friends need to find a way to solve the puzzle of the missing body parts and escape the cycle of death, or they will be trapped in the time loop forever. Will they be able to uncover the mystery and escape from the Red Man’s grip?
Premise: A Promising Beginning
Re/Member is a live-action adaptation of a horror novel called Karada Sagashi by Welzard. The film is directed by Eiichiro Hasumi and produced by Warner Bros. Japan. The plot of the movie is crafted well and gives a promising premise in the beginning. The first quarter of the film features plenty of Japanese horror tropes and jump scares that are sure to give audiences a sense of fear.
However, as the movie progresses towards the middle and the end, the horror elements start to decline, and the plot loses its direction. That being said, the movie’s soundtrack by Ado, a famous Japanese singer, is a standout element of the film, and her music helps to alleviate the boredom that occurs when the plot meanders.
Social Anxiety as a Reason
Re/Member is a movie that adds a social element to its horror story. The film highlights social anxiety that is experienced by high school students. Asuka, played by Kanna Hashimoto, experiences being ignored and cast aside by her classmates. Moreover, her inability to make friends also worsens her social anxiety. However, when she and her classmates find themselves trapped in the murder game orchestrated by the Red Man, they are forced to work together to solve the puzzle and escape the cycle of death.
The Final Verdict
Re/Member has a promising premise with plenty of jump scares, but the plot becomes meandering in the middle and end. However, the movie’s soundtrack is lovely and helps to make up for the weak plot-line by adding a more energetic vibe to the scenes.
In summary, Re/Member is a Japanese horror-thriller movie that offers a unique twist to the horror genre. Despite the weak plot in the middle and towards the end, the jump scares and social commentary on high school social anxiety elevate the movie to be worthwhile. So if you’re looking for a fun horror movie to watch, Re/Member is worth your time.
