Kento Kaku-Produced Horror Film Never After Dark Draws Preview Praise
The preview reactions position Never After Dark as a deliberate fusion of Japanese horror atmosphere and Western genre mechanics, a formula its Japanese-American creative team is betting on as globally viable.
Reporting from 2 sources: Eiga Natalie, Magmix.
The horror film "Never After Dark," produced by and starring Kento Kaku, will open in Japanese theaters on June 5. Directed by Dave Boyle, who previously worked with Kaku on the 2024 Netflix series "House of Ninjas," the film held its Japan premiere screening on April 28 at TOHO Cinemas Shinjuku in Tokyo. The story follows Airi, a medium from a family of psychics, and her sister Miku, who became a spirit after an incident. Together they investigate paranormal cases, including a request to exorcise a ghost haunting a mansion. Moka Hoshi plays Airi, Kureha Inagaki plays Miku, and Tae Kimura plays Teiko, with Kaku appearing as her skeptical son Gunji. Preview attendees described the film as a "revolution in Japanese horror cinema," praising its shift in fear type between the first and second halves. Comments highlighted the pacing, the single-setting mansion location, and the blend of suspense and mystery. The production is the first theatrical feature from SIGNAL181, the film production company founded by Kaku and Boyle. Kaku also promoted the film by posting a phone number on social media that, when called, plays a recorded message in his voice as a promotional gimmick.
Dave Boyle aimed for minimal use of CGI, a choice that drew praise from preview attendees. Comments noted "the use of props like mirrors and the separation of time with 'tension and pain' heightened psychological immersion, showing Dave Boyle's sure hand." Another viewer compared the film's charm to "Nobuhiko Obayashi's early works."
The story is built with only six characters. One attendee said it "felt like watching a dense stage play." Moka Hoshi's performance as Airi received particular attention. Viewers described her "unique rhythm and body movements" as "full of originality and charm," and called the role "truly a career-defining role." Some requested "a mini-series of the sisters solving many cases in the future."
Visual and sound design were also highlighted. Comments on the cinematography included "the contrast of light and shadow stands out, and each scene is as beautiful as a painting." The sound design was described as "subtly invades the senses, with an exquisite coexistence of unease and comfort."
At the stage greeting, Boyle described his relationship with Kaku as "like comrades in arms." Audience members felt the passion through the screen, with one saying they were "happy as a viewer that they enjoyed making what they love and want to do without any constraints." The supporting cast includes Mutsuo Yoshioka and Boku Shosuke.
Synthesized by Yomimono from the 2 cited sources below, including Japanese-language reporting where cited, then editorially reviewed before publishing.