Lumberjack the Monster (2023) User Reviews

A quote promising addition to thriller genre...!!!

[PANDIAN120621 · 7/10 · 3 June 2024]

"LUMBERJACK THE MONSTER" is a new Netflix movie from iconic Japanese director Takashi Miike. The original title is Kaibutsu no kikori which is the title of the book it's based on. It's a horror-thriller and the movie is from Japan, but the character-driven plot gives it a South Korean vibe...

This one even has a serial killer mystery plot makes sense & has plenty to cover during its runtime... There is a serial killer and obviously, a serial killer is not a "guy good". However, there is actually a solid reason for his murder spree...

The movie's boldest idea is that psychopathy could be a desirable trait... Miike, known for his intense and often shocking storytelling, crafts a narrative that is both horrifying and deeply engaging. The film kicks off with a ferocious intensity, immediately throwing viewers into Ninomiya's world of cold-blooded ambition and relentless pursuit. Kamenashi delivers a compelling performance, capturing the lawyer's transformation from a cold-hearted professional to a man consumed by vengeance. His portrayal is chilling, particularly in scenes where his character's obsession reaches a fever pitch...

The cinematography by Nobuyasu Kita paints a stark picture of Tokyo's underbelly, filled with shadows and lurking dangers. The editing by Naoichiro Sagara ensures that the tension remains high throughout, with quick cuts that leave the audience barely a moment to breathe. This relentless pace is both a strength and a potential drawback, as it sometimes sacrifices character development for sheer adrenaline...

Despite its many strengths, " Lumberjack the Monster" does have its flaws. The relentless focus on violence and gore can feel overwhelming at times, potentially alienating viewers who are not fans of extreme horror. Additionally, while the film's pace keeps the adrenaline high, it sometimes glosses over deeper character development. Ninomiya's transformation is well-acted but could benefit from more nuanced exploration, particularly in his interactions with other characters...

Overall " Lumberjack the Monster" is a gripping addition to Takashi Miike's filmography, offering a brutal and unflinching look at the darker sides of human nature. It's a film that will undoubtedly appeal to fans of extreme horror and psychological thrillers. However, its intense focus on violence and a somewhat shallow character arc may limit its appeal to a broader audience. Despite these shortcomings, the film's high-octane energy and compelling lead performance make it a memorable cinematic experience...

undecided how to rate this movie

[loris-francoletti · 6/10 · 4 June 2024]

I saw this movie with no idea of the plot. I just read some people online telling that it was a good movie by well loved director Takashi MIke. I like many movies that he did. And I had expectation. And well the movie is not a horror, it is not scary. Does it have blood? Yes. Crazy people? Yes. Is it funny and entertaining? Well not that much. Here is where the issue is for me. When the movie finish I thought "is this all?" that Meh feeling. No real drama or tension or big surprise. Everything move in a smooth way, And as somebody else already wrote, yes very good opening scene, and then you think, ok ok something good will come.

I have no idea of the book or comic this is based on. So maybe the story was all already there with not so much room to change things.

Cool and Unusual

[tkdlifemagazine · 6/10 · 7 June 2024]

This is a very cool and unusual thriller out of the Japanese film market. From the very beginning it will have you engaged in its creepy feel and disturbing imagery. The movie has many elements involving modern scientific and biological experimentation and their dangers- a modern day Frankenstein's tale, if you will. The acting and cinematography are very engaging. The characters are strong. The story is good, but there are elements that are a little hard to follow. The pacing and action are good. I really like the films of Japan. They have their own sensibility and sense of originality. Worth seeing.

Stylish but talky thriller.

[dweston-38669 · 4 June 2024]

This dropped on Netflix with little fanfare,word of mouth or press releases which is surprising as its directed by cult filmmaker Takashi Miike.

It's an interesting,stylish and extremely well made thriller with solid production values with the cinematography and sound design top notch.

It's a mash up of Jagged Edge,Seven and Memories of Murder but like them outstanding films it's talky and ponderous with some thrilling moments and come few and far between. Although the attack by 'Lumberjack' in the high rise storey building was jumpy.

The problem lies in a overloaded script with too many characters to follow, a sub plot about' neuro chips' that add to very little and little character development.

I wonder if this would have been a better three part Netflix series instead?

Nonetheless, an interesting take on the thriller genre by a world class visionary.

Pretty bad

[ladyliliroche · 3/10 · 2 June 2024]

I know nothing from this film and went in expecting some bloody horror and psychological thriller. Basically some good stuffs with Kame as the lead and Takashi Miike as the director... but in the end, the movie offered none of that.

Like.. the opening of the movie is probably the best bit for me. Showing how ruthless Kame is and how he is a psychopath but also killed people who like did harm (like Dexter). Then when the scene with the sprinkler came in, I was very disappointed. Like the killer decided to stop because he was rained on and some light got turned on? Like lol. There was no other people coming in for help etc. It was a pretty bad scene. And after that, it was just a snooze. No bloody murder scene, no horror or thriller... just all talk and some nonsense shenanigans about the chips on your head. Like lol...

I know it's based on a novel but the initial premise is kinda ridiculous and bad. Also again, the lighting is kinda meh... it felt like another j-drama movie. Nothing special about it.

Kame deserved better.

Obvious from start to finish

[geewhiz46 · 4/10 · 1 June 2024]

I watched this because I like the lead actor - but it was obvious from the opening scene what the final scene would be.

In between we had abducted children who were being experimented on to turn them into psychopaths - some survived - most didn't.

Akira (the ML) was one of the survivors. He is a lawyer - affianced to a woman whose father is head of a prestigious law firm - but handily poppa pops his clogs by falling from a very high building.

This woman had hardly any place in this story - she did very little - and was only included for one reason which will become obvious.

Now - many years later people are now being murdered by a costumed lumberjack monster and having their brains removed - eventually the cops work out that the killer is after the neuro chips in their brains. Unbeknownst to Akira he discovers after being attacked and injured - that he also has a neuro chip.

Akira has a doctor colleague and they are in sync with killing whomever they think necessary - the doctor says he is tired of cats - yet another hateful aspect of Asian culture. The way he picks up and holds a cat later in the film is distasteful.

One of the cops has a suspect - he attacks him and the man falls and injures himself - he later sues the cop and he is demoted.

This is where the inevitable trope of the maverick female profiler enters the story. Hands up who can tell me any profile of a serial killer that differs in any degree to a thousand others. This profiler immediately homes in on Akira for some reason and goes into a hospital and demands his private records - of course she is refused - but breaks a glass so the only nurse in attendance rushes off to get a dustpan and brush - meanwhile said profiler steals the data from a computer which somehow does not require a password to access sensitive data. That is now inadmissible evidence anyway - but maverick profiler's don't care about that kind of thing. She is suspended from the case.

There are more attacks on Akira and finally he discovers the identity of the person. He was a fellow victim at the orphanage and is trying to kill all the kids that were made into psychopaths.

His chip was damaged after the cop attacked him and gave him the ability to empathise and feel emotional pain - so he wants to save others from feeling as he does.

Their is a climactic final scene which I won't describe which is followed by the obvious ending.