BAKEMONO (2023)
Label: Unearthed Films
Region Code: Region-Free
Rating: Unrated
Duration: 98 Minutes 52 Seconds
Audio: Japanese PCM 2.0 Stereo with Optional English Subtitles
Video: 1080p HD Widescreen (1.90:1)
Director: Doug Roos
Cast: Takashi Irie, Yukina Takase, Yurika Natsume, Miki Nomura, Laila Chiba, Setsuka Akiyama
Bakemono (2023), which was produced, written, directed and shot by Doug Roos, is a gory practical effects slice of Airbnb horror concerning several guests whom arrive at the same dingy Tokyo apartment #305 at different times, only to find themselves attacked by a goopy shapeshifting tentacled, demon-creature that attacks them at the stroke of midnight. The creature itself has been summoned through black magic ritual by the Airbnb host, who himself is a murderous piece of shit, and who watches what's transpires inside his nightmare rental through series a cameras set up inside.
The flick has a non-linear style that's can be a bit jarring, cutting back and forth through time as different guests at the Airbnb find themselves facing off against a slimy Lovecraftian tentacle monster with many mouths, and how they attempt to deal with it in their own ways, or succumb to it's horrors. I was not a huge fan of the non-linear unspooling of the story, but the film does a good job with giving off ominous vibes and tension, and the old school practical effects are really quite accomplished for a low-budget flick, and I found myself keenly enthralled by the demonic creature whose form evolves throughout the film, but good clean glimpses of it are hard to "see" as the film is purposefully dark, dim and murky with low-lighting that keeps it hidden, even when you are looking right at it, it's obscured by darkness and a bit of a mystery.
Honestly, this microbudget flick was not exactly my cup o-tea, and it's is not the sort of film I would revisit anytime soon, if ever, but this one-and-done viewing experience while frustrating because of the non-linear structure and murky visuals did offer some interesting gore and violence that was pretty visceral, and the creature-design is pretty interesting, too. The concept pf a grotesque tentacled monster haunting an Airbnb is a solid low-budget premise, and in execution it sort of brought to mind Ju-on by way of the low-budget gore-fest Cyclops (1987), and lovers of gory low-budget independent horror will probably find it a bit of a gory treat. While I dug the ominous vibes and gory effects, it was not quite a wholly satisfying watch for me, but is still quite an accomplished first time film from Roos.
Audio/Video: Bakemono (2023) arrives on Blu-ray from Unearthed Films in 1080p HD framed in 1.90:1 widescreen. The film was shot digitally and has a slightly tea-stained patina to it, lots of yellowed low-light scenarios chock full of shadows, which seems to be an aesthetic choice. There's some nice clarity to the image, despite being purposefully murky details are sharp looking and textures look solid throughout. Audio comes by way of a mix of English, Japanese and Korean PCM 2.0 stereo with optional English subtitles. The track is clean and well-balanced, dialogue, sound effects and the unnerving score, done by writer/director Doug Roos, sounds solid.
Extras include a 7-min Making The Practical FX: Bringing A Gruesome Monster To Life, the 7-min The Dark Side Of Tokyo: The Meaning Behind The Film, 11-min Principal Photography and the 19- in Bakemono Unleashed: Reactions And Surprises, all featuring director Doug Roos getting into he making of the film in his own apartment in Tokyo, creating the special effects, and getting into the recognition that was given the film upon it's film festival run. These interviews really show what a labor of love it was for Roos, his enthusiasm is obvious as he discusses what went into making the film over 80 days in his own apartment, with loads of behind-the0scenes footage and images of the special effects. We also get a 19-min 2024 Japan Film Fest Q&A In Hamburg Germany, as well as a 1-min Photo Gallery, 41-sec Teaser Trailer 1 and a 37-sec Teaser Trailer 2.
The single-disc release arrives in a clear keepcase with a Reversible Wrap, and the first-pressing includes a Slipcover O-Card that was created by the multi-talented director Doug Roos.
Special Features:
- Making The Practical FX: Bringing A Gruesome Monster To Life (7:20)
- The Dark Side Of Tokyo: The Meaning Behind The Film (7:09)
Principal Photography (10:37)
- Bakemono Unleashed: Reactions And Surprises (19:14)
- Festival Q&A In Germany (18:52)
- Photo Gallery (1:11)
- Teaser Trailer 1 (0:41)
- Teaser Trailer 2 (0:37)
- The Sky Has Fallen Trailer (1:19)
Screenshots from the Unearthed Films Blu-ray:
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