Himizu
2012 · Directed by Sion Sono
Original language: Japanese
- crime
- drama
- thriller
The story
Two 14-year-olds from troubled, abusive homes come together sharing misery and pain. In the aftermath of an earthquake, the classmates learn how to survive while relying on one another for emotional and physical support.
What it’s like
Harsh, overexposed daylight over flattened, debris-strewn coastal streets, with handheld camera that jolts close to faces and frequent drops into saturated, nearly white frames. Sion Sono's Himizu moves in restless, abrasive bursts: frantic chases, sudden stillness, and a jagged editing rhythm that never settles. The sound design leans on sirens, rain, and industrial clatter, with a score that surges in and out rather than soothing. The vibe is raw, bleak, and feverish, with moments of dark absurdity cutting through the grime. Intensity is high: physical abuse, graphic violence including a brutal beating and a stabbing, bullying, and disturbing scenes of cruelty toward children, all landing hard and close. This is not gentle viewing and offers no comfort-rewatch warmth. It suits viewers who want unflinching, provocative, emotionally punishing cinema about adolescence and disaster, not a quiet evening in.
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