The Devil Wears Ju-Ni Hitoe Kimono

Synopsis

The Devil Wears Ju-Ni Hitoe Kimono (2020) is a Japanese horror film that weaves traditional Japanese culture with supernatural suspense. The story revolves around a mysterious woman adorned in the exquisite Ju-Ni Hitoe, an elegant twelve-layered kimono, who arrives in a quiet rural town. Her presence brings about eerie occurrences and unsettles the local residents as strange events unfold. Kentaro Ito stars as a local figure entangled in the mystery surrounding the enigmatic woman. The film explores themes of ancient curses, the clash between tradition and modernity, and the chilling power behind cultural artifacts. Through atmospheric visuals and haunting storytelling, it creates a tense and intriguing narrative that captivates fans of Japanese horror folklore.

Cast

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  Kentaro Ito

  Rai

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  Ayaka Miyoshi

  Lady Kokiden

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  Sairi Ito

  Rinko

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  Taketo Tanaka

  Harumiya

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  Kanata Hosoda

  Mizu Ito

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  LiLiCo

  Motoko Yamashita

Reviews

The Devil Wears Ju-Ni Hitoe Kimono received mixed reviews from critics and audiences alike. On IMDb, it holds a rating around 5.2/10, with viewers praising the film's unique cultural backdrop and authentic portrayal of traditional costume but criticizing its pacing and development. Some reviewers appreciated the atmospheric tension and visual aesthetics, especially the detailed Ju-Ni Hitoe kimono, which adds a rich cultural layer to the horror narrative. For example, a review on Asian Movie Pulse noted, "The film’s strength lies in the cultural authenticity and eerie mood-setting, although the plot sometimes feels underdeveloped and predictable." Conversely, some critiques pointed out that the film struggles with character depth and occasionally leans too heavily on genre clichés. On Rotten Tomatoes, while there is no official critic aggregation, user scores reflect a divide between those enjoying the cultural horror aspect and others finding it lacking in suspense and originality. Overall, The Devil Wears Ju-Ni Hitoe Kimono is recognized for its ambitious blending of heritage and horror but is considered by some to fall short in narrative execution.