Ghost Killer 4K 2024

An entertaining Japanese action film with an interesting concept, which, alas, is implemented in a rather bland and sluggish manner.

I was really looking forward to the new film from the director of the cool City of Sin. What's more, the screenwriter is Yugo Sakamoto, creator of the trilogy (and drama) Killer Kids, and one of the Killer Kids, Akari Takai, plays the lead role. Alas, my expectations were only partially fulfilled.

The concept itself, about a murdered killer whose spirit clings to an ordinary student and can possess her and control her body, simply screams for non-stop action and excitement. But that's where the problem lies, with the dynamics and action. Everything here is too mundane, not particularly lively, lacking zest and spark, as if shot on autopilot. It should have either gone for comedy with cool fight scenes or simply delivered non-stop action to leave you jaw-dropped.

But the fight scenes here are pretty ordinary, although, I won't lie, the opening fight and the final battle with the “boss” look pretty good. The same “Killer Kids” is several levels above in terms of fight choreography, both in terms of sparring and in terms of imagination, creativity, and gimmicks. Of course, there is the trademark “life” between them, but again, it's somehow sluggish, lacking fire and drive. There are some funny dialogues in places, but overall, unfortunately, the director doesn't really deliver in terms of humor or combat scenes.

The actors are all in their places, I can't throw stones at anyone — Akari is funny, but in “Kids” she was on fire, and here she plays a more familiar, normal character, nothing more. Masanoori Mimoto and Mario Kuroba give good performances — they know their stuff and play their roles as they should.

As a result, with such an introduction, they could have made a mega-hit and a bombshell, but it turned out as usual — ordinary and bland. The evening certainly brightened up the film, but if I hadn't watched it, I wouldn't have missed anything. “City of Sinners” and the entire “Killer Kids” trilogy are much better made.