IMDb >
Kairo (2001)
Watch It
Buy it at Amazon
Rent it at Blockbuster.com
Discuss in Boards More at IMDb Pro Add to My Movies Update Data
BETA
Discuss in Boards More at IMDb Pro Add to My Movies Update Data
Quicklinks
Top Links
trailers and videosfull cast and crewtriviaofficial sitesmemorable quotesOverview
main detailscombined detailsfull cast and crewcompany creditstv scheduleAwards & Reviews
user commentsexternal reviewsnewsgroup reviewsawardsuser ratingsparents guiderecommendationsmessage boardPlot & Quotes
plot summarysynopsisplot keywordsAmazon.com summarymemorable quotesFun Stuff
triviagoofssoundtrack listingcrazy creditsalternate versionsmovie connectionsFAQOther Info
merchandising linksbox office/businessrelease datesfilming locationstechnical specslaserdisc detailsDVD detailsliterature listingsNewsDeskPromotional
taglines trailers and videos posters photo galleryExternal Links
showtimesofficial sitesmiscellaneousphotographssound clipsvideo clipsKairo (2001) More at IMDbPro »
Overview
User Rating:
Director:
Writer:
Kiyoshi Kurosawa (writer)
Release Date:
9 November 2005 (USA)
more
Tagline:
Yûrei ni aitai desu ka? (Do you want to meet a ghost?)
Plot:
Japanese university students investigate a series of suicides linked to an Internet Web cam that promises visitors the chance to interact with the dead. full summary | add synopsis
Plot Keywords:
Internet
|
Shadow
|
Alone
|
Forbidden Room
|
One Word Title
more
Awards:
2 wins
&
1 nomination
more
NewsDesk:
(4 articles)
Tokyo Sonata - Trailer
(From LateFilmFull. 20 April 2009, 11:38 PM, PDT)
Sfiaaff 2009: Kiyoshi Kurosawa—Serpent’s Path & Eyes of the Spider
(From Twitch. 19 February 2009, 12:03 AM, PST)
(From LateFilmFull. 20 April 2009, 11:38 PM, PDT)
Sfiaaff 2009: Kiyoshi Kurosawa—Serpent’s Path & Eyes of the Spider
(From Twitch. 19 February 2009, 12:03 AM, PST)
User Comments:
This film is not for everyone---I found it VERY tough going
more (113 total)
Cast
(Cast overview, first billed only)| Haruhiko Katô | ... | Ryosuke Kawashima | |
| Kumiko Asô | ... | Michi Kudo | |
| Koyuki | ... | Harue Karasawa | |
| Kurume Arisaka | ... | Junko Sasano | |
| Masatoshi Matsuo | ... | Toshio Yabe | |
| Shinji Takeda | ... | Yoshizaki | |
| Jun Fubuki | ... | Michi's mother | |
| Shun Sugata | ... | Boss | |
| Shô Aikawa | ... | Employee | |
| Kôji Yakusho | ... | Ship Captain | |
| Kenji Mizuhashi | ... | Taguchi | |
| Takumi Tanji | ... | Man with Bag | |
| Hassei Takano | ... | Student A | |
| Atsushi Yuki | ... | Student B | |
| Go Takashima | ... | Student C |
Additional Details
Also Known As:
MPAA:
Rated R for some violent images.
Parents Guide:
Runtime:
118 min | Hong Kong:119 min
Country:
Language:
Color:
Aspect Ratio:
1.85 : 1 more
Sound Mix:
Certification:
UK:15 |
USA:Not Rated |
Germany:12 |
Australia:MA (2006) |
New Zealand:R13 |
Canada:13+ (Quebec) |
Singapore:PG |
France:U |
Hong Kong:IIB (DVD rating) |
South Korea:15
Company:
Fun Stuff
Trivia:
The Japanese title written in Mandarin means "the road back".
more
Soundtrack:
Hane Lay Down My Arms
more
FAQ
This FAQ is empty. Add the first question.more (113 total)
Message Boards
Discuss this movie with other users on IMDb message board for Kairo (2001) moreRecommendations
If you enjoyed this title, our database also recommends:
Show more recommendations
|
|
|
|
|
| Chakushin ari | Ringu | Shutter | Honogurai mizu no soko kara | Arang |
|
IMDb User Rating:
|
IMDb User Rating:
|
IMDb User Rating:
|
IMDb User Rating:
|
IMDb User Rating:
|
Related Links
| Full cast and crew | Company credits | External reviews |
| News articles | IMDb Horror section | IMDb Japan section |
| Add this title to MyMovies |

This film is about a gap that exists between the real world and the world of the dead. There's a lot of mumbo-jumbo about the internet (i.e., if you install a program on the computer, you see dead folks--much like if you play a videotape you'll die in RINGU). Frankly, most of this seemed rather silly and lost me. What I did find interesting is the idea that the dead live within their own separate existence--being totally alone for eternity. This was sobering and fascinating.
I love Japanese films and have seen a huge number compared to most Americans. However, one genre that has become popular in recent years that I just can't relate to very well are these horror films. I know they are super popular--especially since they seem to be remade so often in the States. I've seen both RINGU as well as THE RING, JU-ON and THE GRUDGE and was rather ambivalent despite their popularity. About the only recent horror film I really liked from Japan was SEANCE--a reworking of the great British film, SEANCE ON A WET AFTERNOON. And what, do I think, made SEANCE different? Well, unlike the other films as well as KAIRO, gobs and gobs of money weren't spent on special effects or trying to scare the audience--instead, the emphasis was on the story. The bottom line is that these other films are a lot like American films like HALLOWEEN or Friday 13th--with scary things jumping out just to scare the audience and plot is purely secondary (at best). For me, I want story--not cheap thrills or ghosts as the primary focus of the film.
With a relatively high rating, I know I am in the minority, but I just don't find this a very satisfying film. All too often, minor things occur that might startle someone slightly--but the characters begin screaming and crying and acting as if to say "this is the scariest film ever made so you'd better start shaking". Well, I think it just tries too hard and I wish it had focused more on the afterlife seen at the end of the film and plot progression--not scare tactics.