Bad
Lands | 2023 | 2h 23m
Genre: Crime, Thriller | Country: Japan
Director: Masato Harada
Writers: Masato Harada, Hiroyuki Kurokawa
Cast: Sakura Andō, Ryosuke Yamada, Ryūdō Uzaki, and others
IMDb: 6.0
My Rating: 9/10
When a desperate robbery goes terribly wrong, two estranged siblings find themselves hunted by powerful criminals. Bad Lands delivers a gripping crime thriller where loyalty, survival, and family are tested against a ruthless underworld.
Warning:
Contains strong language, violence, murder, nudity, and disturbing themes.Synopsis
Neri
(Sakura Andō) works for a phone scam syndicate that targets victims through
elaborate fraud schemes. After suffering permanent hearing loss in one ear due
to abuse at her previous job, she reluctantly returns to her estranged
father—the same man who once sold both her and her mother to another family.
Her
father now operates a large-scale scam organization. During one of their
operations, however, a victim discovers the fraud and cooperates with the
police. Thanks to Neri's sharp instincts, she notices the surveillance before
anyone else and helps the group escape.
What
Neri doesn't realize is that the organization is protected by influential
figures, including members of the Yakuza. Her younger brother, Jo (Ryosuke
Yamada), also works for the syndicate, although he has yet to earn enough trust
to participate directly in the scams. Instead, he secretly carries out
dangerous jobs as a hitman—a side of his life that Neri knows nothing about.
Jo's
life begins to spiral after accumulating enormous gambling debts and failing an
assignment. Desperate to survive, he devises a reckless plan to rob the very
organization he works for.
Neri
unexpectedly catches him in the act. When their father threatens Jo's life, she
makes a split-second decision that changes everything—she kills him to save her
brother. Their escape is successful, but the fortune they steal soon attracts
the attention of far more dangerous people than they ever imagined.
Can
Neri and Jo outrun the criminal world that now wants them dead?
Review
Bad
Lands is adapted from Hiroyuki Kurokawa's novel Keisō, and it
successfully transforms the source material into an engaging crime thriller
filled with tension and moral ambiguity. The narrative unfolds in a structured,
easy-to-follow manner while constantly introducing unexpected twists that
prevent the story from becoming predictable.
Despite
its relatively long runtime, the film maintains a steady pace. Each development
feels purposeful, gradually expanding the dangerous world surrounding the
protagonists and raising the stakes with every decision they make. Rather than
relying solely on action, the film builds suspense through shifting alliances,
betrayals, and the constant uncertainty of who can truly be trusted.
Technically,
the production is equally impressive. The cinematography captures both the
harshness and elegance of Japan's criminal underworld, while the lighting and
color palette reinforce the film's gritty atmosphere. The music and sound
design effectively heighten moments of tension without overwhelming the scenes.
Costume design, makeup, and production details also suit each character
naturally, creating a believable and immersive world.
The
performances are another highlight. Sakura Andō delivers a compelling portrayal
of Neri, balancing emotional restraint with quiet resilience. Ryosuke Yamada
also performs convincingly as Jo, capturing the recklessness and desperation of
a young man trapped by his own mistakes. Their chemistry as siblings gives the
story its emotional core, while the supporting cast adds further depth to the
dangerous world they inhabit.
Although
the film revolves around crime, violence, and the Yakuza, its emotional focus
remains on family, trust, and survival. Every decision the siblings make
carries consequences, making their journey feel both suspenseful and deeply
personal.
Overall,
Bad Lands is a stylish and well-crafted Japanese crime thriller that
combines compelling performances with an unpredictable story. For viewers who
enjoy Yakuza films and character-driven crime dramas, it is a highly rewarding
watch.
Memorable Scene
One
particularly memorable sequence involves Mandala, a former Yakuza member,
teaching Jo about the importance of shooting distance and precision.
Later,
the film cleverly echoes this lesson through Neri. Instead of using a firearm,
she instinctively applies the same principle when throwing alcohol at her
attacker before setting them ablaze.
The
parallel between these two scenes is beautifully executed. A lesson introduced
in one context is later visualized in an entirely different situation, subtly
connecting the siblings through action rather than dialogue.
Memorable Dialogue
"Everything has a risk. It's do or die."
Ending
Bittersweet
Ending
Recommendation
Must
Watch
—
(Aluna
Uwie)
Had
been published in Alunauwie.com
"This article was originally written in Indonesian and has been adapted
into English for international readers."
 Review: A Stylish Japanese Crime Thriller About Family and Survival){kind=link}
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