Thriller

Lesson in Murder

死刑にいたる病

Directed by: Kazuya Shiraishi
2022 / 128 minutes / Unclassified 18+ (restricted to persons 18 years and over)

Psychological thriller about a young man upended by a serial killer’s claim

Masaya is a college student who receives a letter from Haimura, who is on death row for serial killings that horrified the nation. The former owner of a bakery, Haimura kidnapped and brutally murdered high school students. However, back then he was a supportive figure for Masaya, a lonely junior high school student. Haimura has acknowledged his crimes but says that one of the murders was not his own, and he asks Masaya to investigate. Masaya accepts with trepidation and gradually closes in on the shocking truth. 

In this psychological thriller, a young man who can’t turn a blind eye to a killer uncovers even bigger riddles. Sadawo Abe portrays the murderous fiend who both befriended young people and committed gruesome acts, and is perfect for the role with versatility spanning comedy to serious drama. The glint of insanity in his gaze is profoundly disturbing. Kenshi Okada is a rising actor with numerous new films coming out and Kazuya Shiraishi is a popular director acclaimed for his unflinching portrayals of emotional darkness.