Black Butler (2014) Review: A Demon, a Mystery, and a Quest for Revenge

 

Black Butler (Original title: Kuroshitsuji) | 2014 | 1h 59m
Genre: Dark Fantasy / Action / Adventure / Crime / Drama / Fantasy / Family / Horror / Mystery | Country: Japan
Director: Kentarô Ohtani, Keiichi Satô | Writer: Yana Toboso
Cast: Hiro Mizushima, Ayame Gôriki, Yûka
IMDb: 6.1
My Rate: 6/10

A mysterious series of mummy cases forces Kiyohara, the Queen's Watchdog, to investigate. With Sebastian, a demon who serves as her butler, by her side, Kiyohara seeks not only to solve the mystery but also to avenge her family.

Warning:

Violence, sensual content, drugs, alcohol, strong language, nudity

 

Synopsis

Politicians are mysteriously turning into mummies. The strange cases attract the attention of the police, but they also catch the Queen's attention, prompting her to order her Watchdog to investigate. Kiyohara, one of the Queen's Watchdogs, eventually takes on the case with Sebastian, her butler and a demon in disguise.

Kiyohara is the heir to the Genpou family. After her family is murdered by an unknown person, she disguises herself as a boy so she can eventually reclaim control of the family business. Accompanied by Sebastian, she investigates the mysterious cases while seeking revenge for the deaths of her parents.

The investigation leads her into a dangerous adventure and uncovers an unexpected mystery. She must race against time before the drug is used to incapacitate the entire city.

Will Kiyohara solve the mystery and avenge her family before it is too late?

 

Review

Imagine having a demon as your subordinate, someone willing to protect you and help you achieve your goals. Black Butler (2014), adapted from Yana Toboso's manga of the same name, shows one of the greatest strengths of a demon—not necessarily in a negative or frightening way, but in how such power can be used when it is needed.

The film opens with a narration explaining the situation, including the political circumstances, the threat that needs to be investigated, and the identity of the Watchdog. Everything is explained clearly enough to establish a solid foundation for the story. This allows viewers who have never read the manga or watched the anime to understand the world and follow the story.

The first scene gets straight to the point. One of the supporting characters is involved in an accident and turns into a mummy. The tension is established from the very beginning while simultaneously introducing one of the conflicts that becomes a recurring thread throughout the story.

Another conflict comes from the protagonist, Shiori, who has a personal grudge that she wants to avenge. Unfortunately, this internal conflict never feels particularly strong, and Shiori's emotional turmoil is also rather weak. It almost feels as though this aspect is not given enough attention in the story.

Looking more closely, this may be because Shiori herself does not feel like a particularly strong character. This does not mean Ayame Goriki gives a bad performance as Shiori. Rather, there is a certain presence that should have come from the character but never really comes through. Shiori is portrayed as a successful young heir who manages to lead her family's company at a young age and possesses a strong determination to avenge her family. Yet that presence does not really radiate from her, whether through her eyes, facial expressions, or body language.

Sebastian, on the other hand, feels incredibly powerful. His fight scenes are among the most interesting parts of the film. Sebastian is portrayed convincingly as a demon through his speed, his apparent inability to die or be seriously injured, and his overall demeanor, which can easily make the audience fascinated and captivated by him.

The ending is presented quite well, with a small twist involving Shiori's past. However, even though the main case is resolved, several elements are left hanging. This is understandable because the story presented in the film is not truly complete, as it only adapts part of the manga's larger story. On the positive side, the character development of the various characters is still fairly visible.

Technically, the film performs quite well in areas such as close-up shots, camera movement, and color composition. The music and sound effects are also unique while remaining appropriate for the scenes they accompany. Some of the visual effects are particularly convincing, including the blood coming from the characters' noses, ears, and eyes, as well as the appearance of the mummies.

Ultimately, Black Butler (2014) has an intriguing world and manages to create much of its appeal through Sebastian's character. However, that strength is not fully balanced by the protagonist, who should have been at the center of the story's emotional conflict. Despite leaving several elements unresolved, the film remains enjoyable, especially for viewers who like a combination of mystery, supernatural elements, action, and a compelling demon character.

 

Memorable Scene

A group of politicians who have become subjects of an experiment are given a drug that causes them to turn into mummies. When they realize what is happening, panic begins to spread, especially as blood starts flowing from their mouths, ears, and eyes, making death seem just moments away. When an antidote is finally presented, they immediately scramble to get it, without caring about the safety of the people around them.

This scene seems to remind us of one of the most basic human instincts: the instinct to survive. The first thing people think about is saving themselves, and in many ways, that is perfectly natural. Interestingly, the film also shows the other side of humanity, through Kiyohara's willingness to sacrifice herself to save someone else. Both responses are part of being human. In the end, the choice is still in our own hands—we decide which side we want to be on.

 

Memorable Quote

"Not only demons are blessed by God."

 

Ending:

Happy Ending

 

Recommendation:

Worth to Watch

(Aluna Uwie)