This shocker from writer-director Shinya Tsukamoto (Tetsuo: The Iron Man) boasts a more coherent plot than most Japanese horror movies (although it's hardly a masterpiece of logic). The premise finds Kyoichi Kagenuma (Ryuhei Matsuda)—an angst-ridden young man with the singular ability to enter other people's dreams—enlisted by female police detective Keiko Kirishima (Japanese pop singer Hitomi) to help solve a series of apparent suicides, in which the victims fatally slashed themselves while asleep. The assumption here is that the “suicides” were spurred by a serial killer who somehow entered their subconscious during the dream state. Since all of the victims dialed the same mobile phone number before dying, Keiko intends to do the same, forcing a reluctant Kyoichi to enter her dream so the pair can confront the culprit. One may sense the influence of A Nightmare on Elm Street, but Tsukamoto's film is far grimmer and more gruesome than Wes Craven's, and the villain bears no relation to Robert Englund's campy Freddy Krueger. Nightmare Detective doesn't always make perfect sense, but its menacing atmosphere is likely to keep horror fans on the edge of their seats. A strong optional purchase. [Note: DVD extras include a “making of” documentary and a trailer. Bottom line: a solid extras package for a decent horror flick.] (F. Swietek)
Nightmare Detective
Genius, 106 min., in Japanese w/English subtitles, not rated, DVD: $19.95, Feb. 19 Volume 23, Issue 3
Nightmare Detective
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