DVD Corner

Evil Does Not Exist Blu-ray Review

“Evil Does Not Exist” is a thematically rich but frustrating film.  

Written and directed by Ryusuke Hamaguchi (best known for the award-winning “Drive My Car”), “Evil Does Not Exist” is a thoughtful, meditative, slow-burn story set in the Japanese village Mizubiki which seems to have little issues outside of hunters. The story primarily revolves around a quiet woodcutter (father) and his daughter (Hana) who are locals in the village. The serene village faces conflict when talks of a proposed glamping site rear their head. Corporate representatives Takahashi and Mayuzumi are sent to do a town hall meeting with locals, but they soon find themselves out of their depth as citizens bring up valid points about the septic tank harming the water system. Despite the criticisms and concerns, their boss wants them to move forward with the project regardless. In order to achieve some goodwill, the reps approach Takumi to be the glamp caretaker. Takahashi also decides to stay in the village and essentially is taken under Takumi’s wing to learn as much as he can from the knowledgeable resident. Things take a dark turn though when Hana goes missing…

“Evil Does Not Exist” is the type of art film that may test the patience of some viewers with its wordless sequences, long shots, and leisurely pacing. Those that stick with Hamaguchi’s film will find themselves being rewarded by a thematically deep tale about nature, urban expansion, man vs. nature, unpredictability, and city life vs. village life. The slower pacing is certainly intentional and benefits the film greatly in juxtaposing the rhythm of life in the village to the hustle and bustle of the city. Moreover, viewers (like myself) may find themselves becoming immersed in both the characters and the environment due to the deliberate pacing. Of course, the lush and picturesque cinematography by Yoshio Kitagawa doesn’t hurt either.

The only spot where ‘Evil’ loses me is with the arty and rushed ending. Granted, it fits the themes and the story’s foreshadowing to be sure, but it’s just so abrupt. It’s clear that Hamaguchi is making a point here about life taking you by surprise at any moment, but it feels like the story could have continued on more. 

The 3 leads Hitoshi Omika (Takumi), Ryuji Kosaka (Takahashi), and Ayaka Shibutani (Mayuzumi) all give naturalistic performances. They really ground the story.

Video/Audio:

Presentation: 1.66:1 1080p. How does it look? This is a truly gorgeous print of the films. Fans will be ecstatic by the results.

Audio Track: Japanese 5.1 DTS-HD MA. How does it sound? This is a satisfactory 5.1 track.
Extras:
* “Evil Does Not Exist” trailer
* A booklet with photos and an essay by Michael Joshua Rowin
* “Meet The Filmmakers”- A near 19 minute interview with writer/director Ryusuke Hamaguchi. He talks about cinematic influences, scenes written in, tones, and much more.

December 17, 2024 - Posted by nicklyons1 | Blu-Ray review | Evil Does Not Exist Blu-ray Review, Japanese Cinema, Ryusuke Hamaguchi