Gakuryu Ishii has managed to captivate me once again. the film is a gripping blend of psychological spirituality and murder mystery, what does it for me though, is again the atmosphere. Ishii's stylistic world building and visual language is totally unique, the sombre hues and music, and the dismal lighting and photography are instrumental in creating it.
got major cure vibes from it obviously, but they each have different things to offer. and i found cure far more terrifying as a horror.
this is going to the favs list.

had the most fun in a long time watching this. it's the well controlled surreal humour, with the constant warmth permeating the film that works so, so well.
and with a bunch of idiosyncratic, warm, goofy characters. the affectionate, mundane family life in countryside Japan. adorable teenage romance. weird cute grandpa. i could keep going.
this fixed me for a while.
(also HIDEAKI ANNO CAMEOO!)
(also found out Aoi is played by singer Anna Tsuchiya who made the openings for Nana)