Evil Does Not Exist - Review | LFF 2023
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© BFI
Directed by: Ryusuke Hamaguchi
Written by: Ryusuke Hamaguchi
Starring: Hitoshi Omika, Ryo Nishikawa, Ryuji Kosaka
Runtime: 106 min
Synopsis: A camping site development that’s under way in the peaceful village of Mizubiki will forever change the community and surrounding environment. The investors feel differently: ‘A little pollution won’t affect the water’.
© BFI
Editor's Note: Original review was written for FandomWire. Full article can be found below.
REVIEW SUMMARY
Evil Does Not Exist is a disappointing slow-burn that fails to offer a fitting, impactful, complete study of the genuinely interesting central themes linked to nature, sense of community, simplicity of life, and industrial profit fixation. Technically, no faults: Ryusuke Hamaguchi has a superb crew, using lovely cinematography and an atmospheric score to create an immersive, intricate environment. The big problem lies in the filmmaker's overconfidence in the audience to develop and finish his own story and respective character arcs, culminating in a disconcertingly shocking, strangely empty ending.
