Tight Japanese Horror Mystery Unfurls in Social Media Satire #Manhole (FANTASTIC)

Title: #Manhole

First Non-Festival Release: February 10, 2023 (Theatrical Release)

Director: Kazuyoshi Kumakiri

Writer: Michitaka Okada

Runtime: 99 Minutes

Starring: Yûto Nakajima, Nao, Kento Nagayama

Where to Watch: Check out where to find it here

This film’s review was written after its screening at the Fantastic Film Festival in 2023.

With the invention of cell phones, global positioning, and social media, it’s become easier than ever to stay connected with each other. Of course, this presents many new problems in terms of surveillance and privacy, but it does make it harder for people to find themselves stranded without possibility of help.

Unfortunately, that is not the case for Shunsuke (Yûto Nakajima). After a night out drinking with his friends to celebrate his engagement, Shunsuke wakes up inside a manhole the night before his wedding. Armed only with his cell phone and the contents of his work bag, Shunsuke must figure out where he is, how he ended up in there, and, most importantly, how to get out alive.

Full of twists and turns #Manhole is an excellent single location Japanese thrill ride that’s sure to entertain.

What starts as a standard survival thriller morphs into something more sinister once all the clues are revealed. #Manhole holds its cards close to its chest as the audience works through Shunsuke’s situation alongside him. Much like his captivated audience on the film’s Twitter stand in platform, we are taken on the journey in hopes of solving the puzzle that lays before Shunsuke. As he works alongside his crusade of internet followers to devise a way out, Shunsuke finds himself strategically sharing information as his desperation increases to ensure his survival. With only knowing as much as he feels comfortable revealing, each twist serves as another wrench in his plan of escaping his underground hell.

Eschewing the typical phone problem most horror films employ, #Manhole uses technology and social media different than its contemporaries. With a cell phone in hand, Shunsuke would theoretically have the world at his fingertips if he were in any normal situation. #Manhole views the phone not as a problem to work around but a device to further move the plot forward in as realistic manner as possible. A mostly charged phone and connection to cell service mean that Shunsuke still must work to break free.

#Manhole indicts current internet norms while serving as a justifiable reason for why the main character cannot call for help so easily. One of his first realizations when resorting to the internet is to post as ‘Manhole Girl’ instead of ‘Manhole Man’ since he understands that will make him go viral quicker. As he story grows and he gains thousands of followers, he contends with the choice he made in mountains of reply guys seeking courtship and honor for Manhole Girl’s rescue. With nothing but their advice and outside information to go on, Shunsuke squeezes out every opportunity to exploit his audience to his own benefit while revealing as little about himself as possible. This serves not only to avoid spoiling his eager pool of informants but also to not endanger himself further. Influencers only share as much as they need to for their own gain, Shunsuke just goes about it in his own way.

A strong central performance from Yûto Nakajima gives credence to the film’s oftentimes impossible setup. From the beginning, Nakajima delivers an exceptional show as Shunsuke, the likable workaholic whose life is thrown through a loop when he falls through the manhole. Obviously, there is more to his situation than just that, which is why Nakajima’s portrayal is so important. Every twist depends on Shunsuke making the right decision or thinking quickly to use his surroundings to his advantage. Nakajima imbues this sense of resourcefulness and critical thinking into his decision-making process that make not only make the film enjoyable but also pads the plot in how Shunsuke ends up in the situation in the first place.

Where #Manhole does lose points is the lack of attention paid to the small details that add up to cast much doubt on the premise. The twists and turns of #Manhole, while impressive most of the time, veer into head scratching territory when thought about for too long. It’s clear where the film gets its inspiration from, but no less feels out of place in an otherwise contained and measured survival mystery. The conclusion is rather ludicrous but still manages to tie together the whole project in an entertaining bow.

Another solid Japanese horror thriller, #Manhole is guaranteed to throw you off at least once or twice during its run. Anchored by an exceptional performance from Yûto Nakajima, Shunsuke is a character you both love and hate at how he goes about his situation, which makes for a compelling watch. It gets sillier as the film progresses, but if you are in on the joke, #Manhole is an engaging, must-watch international treat. With its American debut hopefully on the horizon, know that if you ever get stuck in finding what to watch, #Manhole will do you right.

Overall Score? 7/10