About a Place in the Kinki Region (Original Title: Kinki Chiho no Aru Basho ni Tsuite) | 2025 | 1h 43m
Genre: Horror | Country: Japan
Director: Kôji Shiraishi | Writers: Sesuji
Cast: Eiji Akaso, Miho Kanno
IMDb: 6.1
My Rating: 7/10

Ozawa and Chihiro are forced to continue the writing and research left behind by a writer at their publishing company who suddenly disappears. Without realizing it, a mystery begins to haunt them and threaten their lives.

Warning:

Contains scenes of violence and suicide

Synopsis:

A writer at Ozawa’s workplace mysteriously disappears, leaving behind a draft concept that was supposed to be published soon. To fill the gap, Ozawa asks for help from Chihiro, a freelance writer, to finish the manuscript—one whose contents no one truly knows, since the writer had always kept it secret.

Using fragments of remaining data—video recordings, strange symbols, and scattered articles—they begin piecing together a mystery that slowly opens the door to urban legends, curses, and death. The deeper they investigate, the closer the danger creeps in.

Despite the constant fear, Ozawa chooses to keep moving forward, trapped between ambition, curiosity, and an increasingly real threat. Meanwhile, Chihiro, fully aware of the risks, continues to warn that not all truths are meant to be uncovered. Eventually, a clue leads them to the whereabouts of the missing writer—and to consequences they never imagined.

Will they be able to stop the curse before it’s too late?

Review:

Imagine losing the one place you relied on—the person who was always there when you were tired and vulnerable. The emptiness left behind feels too big to accept, creating a desire for something, or someone, to replace it. But not every space can be filled again, and not everyone is ready to take that position. Based on the novel Kinki Chiho no Aru Basho ni Tsuite by Sesuji, this film uses urban legends as a mirror for human fragility in facing loss.

The film opens with a mysterious narration about death, followed by a video where Chihiro asks netizens for help in finding her missing colleague. The name that should be spoken is deliberately obscured, creating a void that immediately becomes a source of unease. The mystery is built without clear explanations, pulling the audience into a slow-burning curiosity.

On the other side, Ozawa is dealing with the disappearance of a coworker who was in the middle of important research. He asks Chihiro to help reconstruct the abandoned writing concept. These two storylines intertwine, guiding viewers toward one big question: is the person Chihiro is searching for connected to Ozawa’s missing colleague—or something far darker?

The conflict develops gradually. Small disturbances begin to surface, symbols feel increasingly close, and eventually a mysterious presence dares to reveal itself. The urban legend elements are presented with enough detail to serve as the backbone of the narrative, not just decorative horror.

The final twist comes as a surprise, even though its traces were planted early on. Still, the film deliberately leaves gaps—about the woman in red, the child with a twisted neck, and other fleeting entities. Are they guardians, warnings, or parts of a greater curse? The ambiguity feels intentional, though not entirely satisfying.

In terms of presentation, the film leans toward a horror documentary style. The use of footage, camcorders, and limited perspectives makes the audience feel like part of the search team rather than passive observers.

The performances are understated but sufficient to support the story. Music is used effectively to build tension without relying on cheap jump scares. The horror unfolds slowly, creeping in and lingering long after scenes end.

Ultimately, the film also reflects on an obsession with attention. Characters who are willing to ignore safety for the sake of popularity—especially influencers—mirror the legend itself: a desire to be seen, found, and acknowledged, even at the cost of one’s own life. A reminder that not everything calling out wants to be saved—some just want to be remembered.

Memorable Scene:

Ozawa sits motionless, as if his body is merely a vessel for something unseen. No reaction, no sound—until a colleague calls his name. Instead of an answer, a chilling scream erupts in a foreign voice: “Thank you for finding me!”

This scene leaves a lasting impact. That simple line suggests the entity doesn’t just want to harm—it wants acknowledgment. Like the legend it comes from, living off loneliness and erased memories, the creature exists because of loss—loss of love, attention, and presence. In one short sentence, horror turns into a silent lament.

Memorable Dialogue:

“When pushed into extreme conditions, people will cling to anything.”

Ending:

Twist Ending
Recommendation:

Worth to Watch

(Aluna)