Yocho Sanpo Suru Shinryakusha

Edit: OK, after thinking about the show some more. I think I finally get what its about which isn't that difficult because the alien spells it out in the end. Its about love and what lengths people in love go for each other. I just didn't feel it until a few days after watching. So upgrading to a watchable rating.

Yocho Sanpo Suru Shinryakusha is a horror/monster movie about an alien is walks around stealing human notions (gainen) such as family and fear. Directed by the talented Kurosawa Kiyoshi (Shokuzai), Yocho Sanpo Suru Shinryakushua is based on a play, which is evident from watching it and I think would have been better if it were shot as a play. Not that it doesn't look beautiful but the story's DNA seems more suited for the stage rather than the screen.

I don't really know what to think of the story. Sometani Shota plays Kaho's husband is was selected by the alien as a guide to provide victims for the alien in exchange for not hurting Kaho and in the process does some very bad things. Kaho meanwhile turns out to be special as she can tell something is wrong and is immune from getting her gainen stolen.

The story is about how this couple would do anything to save each other, even betraying humanity even in the face of earth facing extinction. However, at the end of the movie I just hollow. I just don't get this series and the purpose of the movie. Meh from me. Must be one of those plays where everything is a metaphor . Only Kaho and Kurosawa Kiyoshi fans should check this out but please keep your expectations low.

Looks like Kurosawa Kiyoshi has released a movie version of this story with a different cast including Matsuda Ryuhei, Nagasawa Masami and Hasegawa Hiroki. Seems like the story is different although the setting is the same. Might give it a shot.