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6.6/10
Senior Film Conservator
A definitive 6.6/10 rating for a film that redefined the boundaries of cult cinema. Ugokie kori no tatehiki remains a cornerstone of transgressive art.
If you're into old-school Japanese folklore and don't mind a movie that feels like it was filmed in someone's backyard, then yeah, maybe. It’s definitely not for the people who need a high-octane plot or, you know, actual stakes. If you want to see a guy turn into a fox and a raccoon-dog use a telephone, you’re in the right place.
The whole thing has this loose, almost amateurish energy that’s honestly pretty refreshing. It’s not trying to win any awards or change cinema forever. It just wants to tell you a story about a fox and a tanuki being total jerks to each other. 🦊
The samurai disguise is… well, let's just say it’s not exactly going to fool anyone with a keen eye. But the tanuki’s attempts to scare him away are pure slapstick gold. The way the movie leans into the absurdity of a magical creature using a phone is just delightful. It’s weird, but it works.
Sometimes the film feels like it’s running out of steam, and the pacing definitely drags in the middle. I found myself checking my watch, but then something silly would happen—like a badly timed jump-scare—and I’d be back in it. It reminds me of the chaotic spirit you see in something like Ko-Ko Smokes, where the logic is entirely optional.
The interaction between the tanuki and his dad? It’s probably the most human moment in the whole film, if you can believe that. Just a kid calling his old man to help him win a prank war. It’s got a weird, grounded charm to it.
If you've spent your week watching heavy dramas like The Grass Orphan, this is the perfect palate cleanser. It’s light, it’s fluffy, and it doesn't take itself seriously at all. Don’t go in expecting a masterpiece, and you’ll probably have a decent time. 🦝
