Kansen / Infection (2004) - Faster and more puzzling than the usual movies of the same genre - 9/10 (18/03/11)

This is another Japanese psycho thriller that keeps you guessing and asking until the very end and beyond. In this case, there's not only a twist in the end of the movie, there are several ones and it gets quite difficult to distinguish imagination and reality. I have my own theory concerning the puzzling ending but I don't want to tell it in here because this is a movie where you are asked to be attentive, to use your brain, to watch scenes over and over again. That's the reason why I highly suggest a purchase of the movie because if you rent and watch it only once, you may feel frustrated or simply confused. This is a movie to analyze and discover while the entertainment is only secondary. You have to get into this movie, be the witness of it, the detective that is analyzing the facts to get to a final product sooner or later.

That's why this movie might not please to the mainstream fans that are only expecting a simple gore horror movie. If you consider yourself fitting into this category I wouldn't suggest you to watch it. This movie is less about an infection, murders or illusions than about the rather philosophical topic of guilt. That doesn't mean that there aren't any shocking scenes, some gore moments and a creepy atmosphere in the movie, all those things are more or less present and keep you watching this hypnotizing movie until the very end but they come all out to be rather secondary elements.

The acting of the movie is very good as all characters have certain unique mistakes that are revealed throughout the movie and they all have their own way to deal with guilt and fear. The acting is truly gripping and authentic. The director also did a great job as there are always little hints if you are witnessing reality or imagination. The movie is intense but not concentrated on shocking scenes and though the movie takes the time to introduce the different characters, one can't describe this flick as a slow development. Many other movies of the genre are very slow but this one is somewhat faster and easier to get into without abandoning the rich details and the high amount of creativity. That's why this movie is something special and not just simply another Japanese psych thriller. I think that every Japanese psycho thriller or horror movie I have seen in my life until now is great and unique but this one is different from the others as it is faster in the beginning and even more puzzling in the end so that I couldn't directly compare this flick to any other movie. There are still many other unique things about this little masterpiece like the visual effects with the colours red and green and truly existing persons or illusions. Those effects may help you to not get completely lost by the surprising end of this inspiring movie. The score of the film is also well done, the light effects and room decorations give this flick a very dark atmosphere even if I have already seen even more gripping flicks.

If you happen to like the genre, you will surely adore this movie. It works well at the first try and also as a grower that you might check out several times. I can tell you that - no matter if you happen to like or hate this movie in the end - you have surely never seen a flick like this before and this should be a reason for any open minded person to try this one out. This movie will haunt your for a while and it's up to your individual state of mind in which way this may work.