Gamers and horror movie buffs alike are gearing up for the release of one of this summer’s most interesting-looking Japanese flicks: Exit 8, the film adaptation of the cult indie game The Exit 8.
The original game, released in May 2023, quickly developed a huge following. Transcending language barriers with its use of psychological tension and the liminal space aesthetic, it’s since received millions of downloads globally as well as numerous awards, and spawned a genre of ‘Exit 8-likes’.
For the uninitiated, here’s a quick intro. In The Exit 8, players must navigate their way through a seemingly endless Tokyo subway corridor, spotting ‘anomalies’ along the way. As the rules of the game state, ‘Do not overlook anything out of the ordinary. If you see an anomaly, turn back immediately. If you don’t, continue forward. Only leave through Exit 8.’ Armed with a simple premise and minimalist gameplay, the game has enthralled a legion of fans for its ability to incite paranoia, claustrophobia and introspection.
Its creator, the enigmatic Kotake Create, has since gone on to become a freelance developer and produce a popular sequel entitled Platform 8. Typically straying from public attention, Kotake Create has remained fairly stoic about his success, but has admitted that he’s happy his idea has pioneered a genre.
The film adaptation has already garnered rave reviews from critics. Screened to a sold-out crowd of 2,300 during the Cannes Festival’s coveted Midnight Screening programme in May, it received a – perhaps not coincidental – eight-minute standing ovation.
Genki Kawamura oversaw the writing, production and direction of the film, which was shot primarily on set in Tokyo. Perhaps best known for his novel If Cats Disappeared from the World, Kawamura has also produced a number of films, including Monster (2023) and animated features like Your Name (2016), Weathering With You (2019) and Suzume (2022).
Exit 8’s protagonist, Lost Man, is played by Kazunari Ninomiya, at 42 still going strong as a member of the boy band Arashi while continuing an acting career that includes films such as Letters from Iwo Jima (2006), Gantz (2010) and Assassination Classroom (2015).
Nana Komatsu (The World of Kanako (2014), Destruction Babies (2016), Silence (2016) and Drowning Love (2016)) will costar, while the breakout fan favourite from the videogame, Walking Man, will be played by Yamato Kochi, known mainly for minor roles in Japanese television series such as Kyo Kara Hittoman, Vivant and Antihero.
Despite its relatively minimalist source material, the film has in early reviews been praised for its creativity and complexity, with some critics already calling it ‘possibly the best video game adaptation ever made’ (Josh Korngut, Dread Central). The film’s poster also won the Prix Luciole Award for best poster design at Cannes.
Exit 8 is due for release in Japan on August 29, with an international release set to follow in September. Toho Cinemas will be hosting a special pre-release IMAX screening in Hibiya on August 8, complete with a live post-screening greeting from Kazunari Ninomiya. In addition, advance screenings featuring a live broadcast of Ninomiya’s greeting will take place simultaneously in eight other cinemas across the country. You can check out the latest teaser below and follow the film’s official website and Instagram for updates.
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