Lumberjack
the Monster (Original Title: Kaibutsu no Kikori) | 2023 | 1h 59m
Genre:
Crime/Horror/Thriller | Country: Japan
Director:
Takashi Miike | Writers: Hiroyoshi Koiwai, Mayusuke Kurai
Cast:
Kazuya Kamenashi, Nanao, Riho Yoshioka
IMDB:
5.9
My
Rate: 7/10
After surviving an attempted murder, Akira tries to find out who the mysterious killer targeting him is. His search reopens a dark past that turned him into a psychopath.
Warning:
Contains scenes of violence, self-harm, smoking, and alcohol.Synopsis:
A
series of murders takes place in Japan, where the killer targets victims’ heads
using an axe as a weapon. The murderer hides behind a mask known as “Lumberjack
Monster.” The police begin to look for the hidden meaning and connection
between each case to track down the culprit.
Akira,
a well-known lawyer, suddenly becomes the killer’s next target. However, he
hides this fact from the police. Akira races against time to find the culprit
and avenge himself.
A
wound on his head reveals a secret: a chip implanted in his brain. The chip is
slightly damaged, and it causes changes in Akira’s attitude and behavior — he
who once had no empathy at all. The search doesn’t go smoothly, especially when
the police begin to suspect him.
Will
Akira be able to find the real killer — or will he end up discovering the
monster hiding inside himself?
Review:
Imagine
a mysterious killer wandering through your city. Panic spreads slowly like fog,
creeping into every corner, while even the police lose their sense of direction
in uncovering the truth. Lumberjack the Monster, adapted from Mayusuke
Kurai’s novel Kaibutsu no Kikori, brings an intriguing premise about
terror, identity, and the dark side of humanity. It’s not a crime film filled
with gore and blood, but rather a journey deep into the human mind — because
not every psychopath becomes a criminal.
The
story begins with a child reading the tale of Lumberjack the Monster — a
dark fairy tale that becomes the red thread connecting all the events. The
Lumberjack mask worn by the killer isn’t just a disguise to hide his identity,
but a reflection of the turmoil inside him, mirroring the story of the
character itself.
Character
introductions are done carefully, never rushed. Their eyes, body language, and
tone of voice all hold subtle but meaningful clues. Akira Ninomiya, the lawyer,
appears calm yet filled with hidden menace — a man living without empathy. This
is clearly shown when he kills his stalker without any expression, without
remorse.
The
female police officer, an important supporting character, is introduced through
her suspicions toward Akira. However, the character who should’ve been a pillar
of rationality in the story feels rather weak. Her bravery isn’t fully
convincing, and her expressions lack the assertiveness needed. In several
scenes, the absence of professional aura slightly dulls the tension.
Even
so, the film manages to keep a steady rhythm. The conflict grows in sync with
the awakening of humanity within its characters. Akira’s inner turmoil —
between his cold side and his fragile humanity — flows naturally without much
verbal explanation. Subtle changes in his expression, long silences, or blank
stares successfully portray his complexity. Guilt and sorrow begin to seep into
him, delivered convincingly through Kamenashi’s performance. He portrays a man
who’s just learning to feel sympathy — and is terrified of it.
The
ending ties all the mystery pieces neatly together, closing with the same
fairy-tale narration that opened the story — bringing the circle to a graceful
close. We don’t just see how a crime is solved, but also how a man struggles to
understand what it means to be human.
There’s
still room for improvement — especially in exploring Kenmochi’s character and
trimming scenes that don’t add much meaning. Still, Lumberjack the Monster
delivers a strong psychological experience, showing that empathy and logic
often walk two separate paths that rarely meet.
“He just wanted to feel the same emotions as other humans.”
Memorable Scene:
Kenmochi
admits feeling guilty about his wife’s death — a woman who deeply loved and
trusted him. In this scene, we see how his regret becomes the reason he tries
to change. Sometimes, we have to lose something to realize how much it meant.
Memorable Dialogue:
“Even if you became normal, your sin wouldn’t vanish.”
Ending:
Sad
Ending
Recommendation:
Worth
to Watch
(Aluna)
 – When a Monster Wants to Be Human){kind=link}
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