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Horripilations Review of Audition (1999)

Audition (1999) – Movie Review

Synopsis

“Audition”, directed by Takashi Miike, is a Japanese psychological horror film released in 1999. The narrative centres around Shigeharu Aoyama, a widower played by Ryo Ishibashi, who seeks companionship after the death of his wife, six years prior. For the sake of finding love, Aoyama’s friend, a film producer named Yoshikawa (played by Jun Kunimura), concocts a rather unconventional method to find a suitable partner: he plans a fake audition for a fictitious film. The ruse invites a delightful plethora of women, but one candidate, Asami Yamazaki (represented by Eihi Shiina), stands out for her beauty and quiet intensity.

Initially, Aoyama is enchanted by Asami’s peculiar charm and the two strike up a relationship, but as they grow closer, Aoyama begins to notice unsettling signs. Asami harbours a dark and traumatic past that slowly unravels, revealing her violent tendencies and obsessive behaviour. What starts as a romantic quest quickly morphs into a gripping psychological thriller, exploring themes of grief, manipulation, and the facades people construct to mask their true selves.

The film deftly balances its chilling horror elements with poignant moments of tenderness and longing. The tension escalates to a horrifying climax that leaves the audience both shocked and fascinated. “Audition” remains a poignant examination of love and the latent dangers of desire, wrapped in Miike’s signature style that straddles the line between art and exploitation.

List of Actors and their Characters

  • Ryo Ishibashi as Shigeharu Aoyama
  • Eihi Shiina as Asami Yamazaki
  • Jun Kunimura as Yoshikawa
  • Tetsu Sawaki as the young man
  • Ai Matsubara as the first girl
  • Renji Ishibashi as the doctor

Review

“Audition” is an arresting piece of cinema, unsettlingly beautiful yet hauntingly grotesque in equal measure. Takashi Miike’s direction is astoundingly audacious, never afraid to push boundaries while still capturing subtle nuances within the narrative. From the outset, the film takes its time to develop character depth and relationships, leading the viewer through seemingly idyllic moments before piercing through to the heart of darkness.

The pacing is methodical, initially inviting viewers to witness the fragility of Aoyama’s pursuit of happiness, showcasing the vulnerability that accompanies loss. Ryo Ishibashi’s performance as Shigeharu Aoyama conveys a palpable sense of yearning and emptiness born from his wife’s death. His tenderness is starkly juxtaposed against Asami’s unsettling calm, performed flawlessly by Eihi Shiina. As the layers of Asami’s personality are peeled away, the dread deepens, revealing her as a multifaceted character shaped by her traumatic history.

What is remarkable about “Audition” is the deftly woven exploration of its central themes. The audition metaphor functions brilliantly on multiple levels, reflecting how society objectifies women and the absurdity of romantic conventions. The notion of selecting a partner becomes a chilling commentary on the nature of love, desire, and betrayal. The film explores the darkness that can lurk behind a façade of beauty and charm, a visceral reminder of the unpredictability of human emotions.

Visually, Miike captures a dichotomy of aesthetic elements, employing soft lighting and serene settings to craft a deceptive atmosphere that starkly contrasts with the visceral horror that develops. The cinematography, courtesy of Hideo Yamamoto, possesses an ethereal quality that, combined with Shigeharu’s naïve hopefulness, lulls the audience into a false sense of security. The sudden eruptions of horror are all the more jarring against this tranquil backdrop. It’s a masterstroke of horror filmmaking—a calculated execution that makes the climactic moments so terrifying.

The soundtrack further enhances the film’s psychological tension. The haunting score by Kuniaka Tsubaki provides an unsettling auditory landscape that embodies the underlying disquiet throughout the film, gradually intensifying alongside the narrative’s escalation into horror. The sound design’s ominous subtleties help build an atmosphere that communicates dread, foreshadowing the dark reveals without uttering a word.

One of the most compelling aspects of “Audition” is its subversion of traditional horror tropes. While one may expect the film to conform to genre conventions by presenting a straightforward narrative of good versus evil, Miike deftly inverts this dynamic. Asami, though a villain in the latter parts of the film, elicits sympathy when her backstory comes to light. The audience is forced to grapple with muddled moralities: is she a victim of circumstance, or a perpetrator of violence? This ambiguity serves as a central tension in the film, raising questions about agency, vulnerability, and the emotional scars that drive one to terror.

The body horror elements, most notably displayed in the film’s latter half, underscore the psychological horror rather than diminish it to shock for shock’s sake. The graphic nature of the violence presented works to emphasise the consequences of Aoyama’s naivety, serving as a grotesque manifestation of the psychological torment that has consumed Asami. The juxtaposition of their two worlds—a man seeking love and a woman consumed by obsession—culminates in a breathtakingly horrific conclusion that remains imprinted in the memory long after.

In terms of performances, Ishibashi’s portrayal of Aoyama is heart-wrenching. He embodies the desperate longing for human connection with a remarkable authenticity that makes his eventual fate all the more tragic. Eihi Shiina delivers a breakout performance as Asami, shifting effortlessly from an innocent façade to a chilling embodiment of rage and despair. Her compelling presence offers one of the most memorable performances in horror cinema.

“Audition” does not merely shock for the sake of shock; it philosophises over the nature of love, connection, and the terrifying masks people wear. Miike’s film challenges its audience to delve deeper into the darkness that lies beneath the surface of relationships and the dangers of idealising others. Through Aoyama and Asami’s haunting entanglement, we explore the paradox of human connection itself—the simultaneous allure and peril.

Conclusion

“Audition” is an extraordinary film that peaks into the abyss of human desires and relationships, provoking both emotional and visceral reactions. It is a film that both thrills and horrifies, allowing us to ponder the duality of human nature as it dances between love and madness.

With its artistry in filmmaking, nuanced performances, and profound themes, “Audition” is a stunning testimony to the capabilities of horror cinema to convey meaningful narratives. It stands as a quintessential work within the genre, remaining relevant and influential decades after its release. For those who dare to venture into such visceral storytelling, “Audition” remains an unmissable experience.

Score: 9/10

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