Sisters of the Gion: Not Your Typical Period Drama

Is it worth your time?

If you like movies that feel like a cold splash of water, yes. This is for people who get tired of heroes and villains. If you need a movie where everyone is likeable or the plot moves at a breakneck speed, look elsewhere. Stay away if you’re looking for a relaxing period piece. This thing is a grind, in the best way possible.

The whole thing feels like watching a trap snap shut in slow motion. There’s no big, heroic stand here. Just two women, Omocha and Umekichi, trying to keep their heads above water in a Gion that looks less like a dream and more like a cage.

I couldn't stop staring at the way the kimonos look so heavy. It’s not just a costume; it’s armor. You can almost feel the fabric weighing them down during those long, awkward conversations in the merchant’s living room.

Speaking of the merchant, the guy is pathetic. Not the fun kind of villain, either. He’s just a sad, broke man who thinks he deserves a seat at the table because he once had money. It’s hard to watch Omocha handle him, mostly because she’s so much smarter than him that it feels unfair.

Mizoguchi really knows how to let a scene breathe until it’s uncomfortable. There are moments where the camera just sits there. You're waiting for someone to scream or break something, but they just keep pouring tea or adjusting a sleeve. It’s brilliant, even if it makes you want to squirm in your seat.

A few quick notes:

• The way they navigate the social rules is exhausting.
• Isuzu Yamada’s performance is razor-sharp.
• The ending isn't some tidy wrap-up. It just stops.
• It hits way harder than stuff like The Girl I Loved because it doesn't try to charm you.

There’s this one bit where a character is just laughing, and it sounds so jagged. It didn't feel like acting. It felt like a nervous breakdown in the middle of a formal event. I think I rewound it twice.

It’s not as manic as Skip the Maloo!, obviously, but it has a rhythm that catches you off guard. You think you're watching a story about sisters, and then suddenly you're watching a story about how society eats people who try to be kind.

Anyway, just watch it. Don't expect a happy ending, but don't expect to forget it either. It stays under your skin. 🍵