Very emotional story, approached with objective realism and a deep, meaningful message; What would you do for love?
36 Reviews
What would you do for love?
spaceynoodle16 April 2021
Its okay
itsjaycube16 April 2021
Beautiful
atractiveeyes20 April 2021
This is a well crafted movie with some beautiful dark romance. The story is all interesting, sweet, thrilling, sad and crazy, it's also well written and unfolds beautifully. Cinematography is nice as well. Lead performances are superb and the chemistry between them is awesome with an obvious passion. But it's nonsensical sometimes, and so long and slow-paced.
Love Someone To Death
gab-6759918 April 2021
Warning: Spoilers
This is a movie about true love. Be willing to kill or even die just to have love close to you. A beautifully made movie, it kept me wanting to see what would happen next. Would have been an 8/10, but the end fell short. I recommend if you love a good romance/drama. This movie showed that not all love is perfect, and what if anything would you be willing to do for it?
Hmm yes and no but to long
SpaceCowboy8930 April 2021
I was expecting something more ,Positve : it has a nice picture , acting is good ,good music , story is ok... negative : ( the end was a low for me i tought they gonna do it!) then its to long 2 hours would be better it feels like the movie searching for the ending for to long at the end and then it ends like that ( at least for me i was expecting a different outcome -ending for the movie , watch orginal with subtitles , english is badly dubbed the emotions come better when u watch in orginal langue and there a some good ones and sad ones, this movie has some scenes.. i dont know about that 16 rating for me its a 18+ movie ( explicit, and the camera stays on it for a long time ) but it is like somone said a mixed bag i give it a 6/10.
never trust lesbian movies made by men
jbmoidixmois15 September 2021
Warning: Spoilers
I'd like to start off by saying that it's entirely possible I'm just a spoiled American. I'm not at all familiar with what directors in Japan have to go through to get LGBT movies made. That being said, it's ALSO entirely possible that men just freaking suck at making lesbian films.
My first concern with lesbian movies is always whether or not the female characters are even going to be interesting. It's hard to write a compelling female character (for some reason), harder still to write two, and the odds drop to damn near impossible when you add male creator to that. So were either of the two female leads remotely interesting? Nope!
Second concern - are my wlw characters going to be sexually assaulted and/or abused by men during the film? You betcha! Now I'm not gonna whine about the husband abusing the main love interest - it's kinda there in the summary. But was it really necessary to then make sure that if the one character got physically abused, we gotta make sure the other one gets sexually assaulted? Why though? (no really - WHY? I can't even figure out what the purpose of that scene even was???)
This movie is an aimless film with no purpose that is really just 70% crying separated by random sex scenes (2/3 were not even LGBT, fyi). The main characters motivations for most of what they do past the summary is pretty unclear and when it is made clear, unbelievable. Rei and Nanae are intended to be star crossed lovers that would kill for each other, but when the movie starts they haven't spoken in 10 years, had never actually dated, and one of them is already in a loving and seemingly fulfilling relationship with another woman that she immediately ditches for her one true love. Worse yet - the creators seemingly KNOW they can't make these two interesting. That's why literally most of the film is music overlaid scenes of the two just laughing like they're in a yogurt commercial, enjoying each other's conversation....which we aren't allowed to hear, because again, they didn't bother to give them personalities or make sure they actually had a relationship with which to build the main premise of the movie off of.
All in all 1/10, I've probably seen worse lesbian movies but I'm struggling to come up with one.
My first concern with lesbian movies is always whether or not the female characters are even going to be interesting. It's hard to write a compelling female character (for some reason), harder still to write two, and the odds drop to damn near impossible when you add male creator to that. So were either of the two female leads remotely interesting? Nope!
Second concern - are my wlw characters going to be sexually assaulted and/or abused by men during the film? You betcha! Now I'm not gonna whine about the husband abusing the main love interest - it's kinda there in the summary. But was it really necessary to then make sure that if the one character got physically abused, we gotta make sure the other one gets sexually assaulted? Why though? (no really - WHY? I can't even figure out what the purpose of that scene even was???)
This movie is an aimless film with no purpose that is really just 70% crying separated by random sex scenes (2/3 were not even LGBT, fyi). The main characters motivations for most of what they do past the summary is pretty unclear and when it is made clear, unbelievable. Rei and Nanae are intended to be star crossed lovers that would kill for each other, but when the movie starts they haven't spoken in 10 years, had never actually dated, and one of them is already in a loving and seemingly fulfilling relationship with another woman that she immediately ditches for her one true love. Worse yet - the creators seemingly KNOW they can't make these two interesting. That's why literally most of the film is music overlaid scenes of the two just laughing like they're in a yogurt commercial, enjoying each other's conversation....which we aren't allowed to hear, because again, they didn't bother to give them personalities or make sure they actually had a relationship with which to build the main premise of the movie off of.
All in all 1/10, I've probably seen worse lesbian movies but I'm struggling to come up with one.
Long movie, it keeps you watching especially the dialogues but it does drag
momomojojo13 January 2022
Jumping straight into a mind-blowing scene
Love how wind back and shows the main character's character. Also, the dedicated relationship she has even for that long time after and even that she moved.
Like the car moment, that the audience need to doubt the choice of the side character will do.
It is funny to see one moment she is sad and destroyed but other moment crazy wild and no regret future full of light.
Other moment in the shower she is scared, desperate and caring.
Feels like a girl's road trip instead of murder movie The flashback from where it all started and where they met and the decisions in life made is nicely done. Also reflect on the characters of them Hmmm strange up and down of emotions do not what it contributes. Like why the sudden they need to stay at the train station? Why did they not have money anymore?
It is a nice struggle that she was always the one that is the lil kid but when she is with her, she is the eldest it seems.
That moment that the confirmation of their same feeling.
The camera work is good Acting is nicely done, with all the different characters Some parts it dragged a bit too long and meaningless too long scenes making Like how love can change a person Like the conversation the brother had with her, it showed a classical view of love and how a relationship should be.
Sound seems like randomly done, but it does go around love topic and how it should be but without a real link to the scene.
Ugh I hated it that they make it so obvious what she will do The end scene is not dramatic enough, should be more romantic, like locking the car and handing over to the police. What I do like is the promise she made, even though it is so classic. The thing is, she should not smile.
Like the car moment, that the audience need to doubt the choice of the side character will do.
It is funny to see one moment she is sad and destroyed but other moment crazy wild and no regret future full of light.
Other moment in the shower she is scared, desperate and caring.
Feels like a girl's road trip instead of murder movie The flashback from where it all started and where they met and the decisions in life made is nicely done. Also reflect on the characters of them Hmmm strange up and down of emotions do not what it contributes. Like why the sudden they need to stay at the train station? Why did they not have money anymore?
It is a nice struggle that she was always the one that is the lil kid but when she is with her, she is the eldest it seems.
That moment that the confirmation of their same feeling.
The camera work is good Acting is nicely done, with all the different characters Some parts it dragged a bit too long and meaningless too long scenes making Like how love can change a person Like the conversation the brother had with her, it showed a classical view of love and how a relationship should be.
Sound seems like randomly done, but it does go around love topic and how it should be but without a real link to the scene.
Ugh I hated it that they make it so obvious what she will do The end scene is not dramatic enough, should be more romantic, like locking the car and handing over to the police. What I do like is the promise she made, even though it is so classic. The thing is, she should not smile.
It doesn't even deserve a 1, Trash
suciuandreea-369598 January 2022
It's so damn bad, i have never seen such a bad lesbian movie. I thought this was gonna be a happy and cute lesbian movie but no.
And i am so tired of seeing the lesbians in movies having sex with guys, lile what the hell its about those 2 lesbians loving each other not so stupid sex parts with random men.
I give this movie a 0/10 Trash.
And i am so tired of seeing the lesbians in movies having sex with guys, lile what the hell its about those 2 lesbians loving each other not so stupid sex parts with random men.
I give this movie a 0/10 Trash.
Not sure what to think
khoekie27 June 2022
Warning: Spoilers
I'm not sure what to think of this movie. On the one hand I found it fascinating and intense whereas moments later I found it long winded and hard to follow.
What baffled me most was how easy Rei was convinced to killing Nanae's husband. Apparently they hadn't seen or spoken to each other in 10 years, but one phone call and a brief meeting are enough for Rei to throw away her complete (and what seemed) bright future.
She easily leaves her partner with whom she was for many years only to run away with the love of her life who doesn't even remotely have the same feelings. On the contrary it feels as if Nanae just abuses Rei's feelings for her own good to get rid of her husband without making her hands dirty herself.
Only towards the end they seem to 'find each other'. Did Nanae discover lesbian feelings she hadn't had before or was Nanae a lesbian who got married to a man because of social pressure? I might have missed this, but I still feel Rei was sort of tricked in this situation because it was so easy to make use of her blind feelings for Nanae.
What baffled me also was how far Rei went to seduce this abusive husband. Why would she give this man oral pleasure and even lose her virginity with him? Would a lesbian woman not be heavily aversed to this? Was it really necessary to go this far to get a chance to stab this man?
Why did Rei have sex with the taxi driver? I really didn't get this scene. Why would a lesbian woman do this?
I was grabbed by some of the intense scenes were both Rei and Nanae talk about ending their lives or even killing one another. It created some fear with me to see a shocking ending of the movie, but then moments or even seconds later they laugh out loud and shortly after they can be seen sitting at the porch with a setting sun and caressing each other as if their deathwishes have suddenly disappeared. Possibly I am seeking too much behind all this but it left me confused.
All in all I'm still not sure whether to recommend this movie or not. It is a fascinating topic but the movie seems to be all over the place and too many scenes don't make sense to me.
What baffled me most was how easy Rei was convinced to killing Nanae's husband. Apparently they hadn't seen or spoken to each other in 10 years, but one phone call and a brief meeting are enough for Rei to throw away her complete (and what seemed) bright future.
She easily leaves her partner with whom she was for many years only to run away with the love of her life who doesn't even remotely have the same feelings. On the contrary it feels as if Nanae just abuses Rei's feelings for her own good to get rid of her husband without making her hands dirty herself.
Only towards the end they seem to 'find each other'. Did Nanae discover lesbian feelings she hadn't had before or was Nanae a lesbian who got married to a man because of social pressure? I might have missed this, but I still feel Rei was sort of tricked in this situation because it was so easy to make use of her blind feelings for Nanae.
What baffled me also was how far Rei went to seduce this abusive husband. Why would she give this man oral pleasure and even lose her virginity with him? Would a lesbian woman not be heavily aversed to this? Was it really necessary to go this far to get a chance to stab this man?
Why did Rei have sex with the taxi driver? I really didn't get this scene. Why would a lesbian woman do this?
I was grabbed by some of the intense scenes were both Rei and Nanae talk about ending their lives or even killing one another. It created some fear with me to see a shocking ending of the movie, but then moments or even seconds later they laugh out loud and shortly after they can be seen sitting at the porch with a setting sun and caressing each other as if their deathwishes have suddenly disappeared. Possibly I am seeking too much behind all this but it left me confused.
All in all I'm still not sure whether to recommend this movie or not. It is a fascinating topic but the movie seems to be all over the place and too many scenes don't make sense to me.
In a word: Unfocused
CyricTheCynic10 June 2021
I admire this film for trying to tackle relatively stigmatized issues like LGBT and depression in Japan, but I feel like the director didn't really have a clear vision in mind when making this movie. Scenes are overly long and the movie very much does not follow the typical buildup-conflict-resolution structure that most movies have. It feels like they just put all the raw footage together and released it, without trying to edit/shorten any of the scenes. Even with all of that, our two characters barely get any background other than a few school flashbacks. There are just sooo many scenes that go on for wayyy too long and/or add nothing to the main narrative. If the director really wanted to try and flesh out so many different characters and motivations he should have pitched this as a short series rather than a movie. Those sort of long, hanging shots would be far more acceptable in a series than a movie. I suppose it might also be because this was based on a manga, and trying to cram in years worth of manga story into a movie, even a 2.5 hour one, doesn't really work unless you focus on a specific story beat. It's a shame, really, I think it's got a good premise just executed really poorly.
Awesome movie
fiorekatlover15 May 2021
Kinda hard at first, but as the movie continues you get attached to the story and its a 2hour journey of many feelings while watching it, loved so much the performances by the two actresses, it was the first time I've watched their work, I have to say, big round of applause for kiko mizuhara, she carried the movie graciously, her performance was on point.
Bad
readt-1292219 August 2021
A Mixed Bag
keikoyoshikawa15 April 2021
Thankfully, this movie is not a knock-off of Thelma and Louis. That said, it has its moments but also a lot of flaws.
The good: The subject of domestic abuse or LGBTQ is not often seen in Japanese cinema, so this movie is a welcomed rarity. The soundtrack is also interesting, as if it is trying to convince the viewer that they are watching merely a romantic movie.
The bad: The acting is too wooden at times. The dialogue sometimes sounds like exposition rather than organic conversation. The story at its very basic is not very believable. This last part is the worst, because the movie seems.to suggest that if you're LGBTQ, then you must have a mental problem.
Verdict: It's worth a watch, but really it's more of an unevenly told story about two lost women that is more a fantasy rather than an important dramatic commentary on societal norms versus those who are different in Japan.
The good: The subject of domestic abuse or LGBTQ is not often seen in Japanese cinema, so this movie is a welcomed rarity. The soundtrack is also interesting, as if it is trying to convince the viewer that they are watching merely a romantic movie.
The bad: The acting is too wooden at times. The dialogue sometimes sounds like exposition rather than organic conversation. The story at its very basic is not very believable. This last part is the worst, because the movie seems.to suggest that if you're LGBTQ, then you must have a mental problem.
Verdict: It's worth a watch, but really it's more of an unevenly told story about two lost women that is more a fantasy rather than an important dramatic commentary on societal norms versus those who are different in Japan.
Mediocre
sensensical22 April 2021
Had a potential
rot9324 April 2021
Excellent human-centered story, but the average American moviegoer might not understand it..
thsalf102025 May 2021
First of all, the fact that a female-led LGBT movie made it to Netflix Japan is huge considering Japan has very little representation.
Lots of great qualities about this movie. The acting and cinematography is different from normal Japanese films, which often show acting that is over dramatized to force humor. This film doesn't do that. Kiko and the supporting lead actress did a great job playing complex characters that take the whole movie to fully understand.
The cinematography also showcased lower class life in rural parts of Japan, which often get overlooked in Japanese films that make it abroad.
However, I think American viewers who mostly watch American films might not understand this film, and many of those viewers will likely complain about the length. American films used to be long, too, but later became no longer than 90 minutes because Americans' attention spans are just too short these days. Current Hollywood films contain scene after scene of "in your face" drama and action, sacrificing artistic film for purely entertainment. Perhaps that works for super hero and comedy films, but Ride or Die isn't this type of film. American movies also stop short of explaining the ending of films, but this movie takes you to the very end.
Japanese art and TV are *masters* of displaying the subtleties of everyday life and the tenderness of human emotion and connection. That's exactly what's happening in the parts of this film that some Americans may consider "slow." If you have an understanding of Japanese culture and art, then this will make sense as you watch the film. There is also a strong culture of natsukashii/nostalgic-ness, especially pertaining to high school, in pop culture here in Japan, which explains the number of flashbacks to high school.
Those people who are complaining about Kiko's nudity don't understand who Kiko is. She is not the run-of-the-mill actress/model. She is very body-positive and lives to push the boundaries on what society deems acceptable.
That said, I think it's a fantastic piece of art if you're willing to try understanding the film through a non-American lens, but it's definitely not for suited for everyone.
Lots of great qualities about this movie. The acting and cinematography is different from normal Japanese films, which often show acting that is over dramatized to force humor. This film doesn't do that. Kiko and the supporting lead actress did a great job playing complex characters that take the whole movie to fully understand.
The cinematography also showcased lower class life in rural parts of Japan, which often get overlooked in Japanese films that make it abroad.
However, I think American viewers who mostly watch American films might not understand this film, and many of those viewers will likely complain about the length. American films used to be long, too, but later became no longer than 90 minutes because Americans' attention spans are just too short these days. Current Hollywood films contain scene after scene of "in your face" drama and action, sacrificing artistic film for purely entertainment. Perhaps that works for super hero and comedy films, but Ride or Die isn't this type of film. American movies also stop short of explaining the ending of films, but this movie takes you to the very end.
Japanese art and TV are *masters* of displaying the subtleties of everyday life and the tenderness of human emotion and connection. That's exactly what's happening in the parts of this film that some Americans may consider "slow." If you have an understanding of Japanese culture and art, then this will make sense as you watch the film. There is also a strong culture of natsukashii/nostalgic-ness, especially pertaining to high school, in pop culture here in Japan, which explains the number of flashbacks to high school.
Those people who are complaining about Kiko's nudity don't understand who Kiko is. She is not the run-of-the-mill actress/model. She is very body-positive and lives to push the boundaries on what society deems acceptable.
That said, I think it's a fantastic piece of art if you're willing to try understanding the film through a non-American lens, but it's definitely not for suited for everyone.
Nonsensical Plotline
Khallie16 April 2021
It's okay but it's too naive
blanceto16 April 2021
Warning: Spoilers
The two main characters aren't some teenage girls being in puppy love. Somewhat some scenes reach to some extent where they were nonsensical to be done by those who are 29 years old women. The contradictive of what they know supposed to be done or what they want can't make me sympathize that much. I understand the raw and the vulnerability of being lesbians and the victim of domestic abuse they were trying to conveyed throughout the whole movie. But somehow it lacks the suspension I thought would be there. Regardless, I love the music and some casts acting.
homophobic and pointless
roxanabodur16 December 2021
One of the most homophobic lesbian movie I've ever seen yet. Probably I just expected too much because of Kiko Mizhuhara and she deserved somethig way better than this trashy film. I rarely post negative reviews, only when I am sincerely dissapointed like now.
We killed someone
nogodnomasters11 May 2021
Warning: Spoilers
In the first scene we see Rei (Kiko Mizuhara ) murders a man. The film then flashes back to events leading up to the murder. We discover he was an abusive husband of an old friend (Honami Satô ). The rest of the film is the two women running from the law having a love-hate relationship.
It really didn't appeal to me.
Guide: sex and nudity (Honami Satô, Kiko Mizuhara )
It really didn't appeal to me.
Guide: sex and nudity (Honami Satô, Kiko Mizuhara )
Beautiful
nanami_touko16 April 2021
Finally, I watched this movie. I haven't read 'Gunjou' yet but I did hear about its depressing tones. I was expecting more darker scenes but gladly the movie wasn't that depressing.
The movie is very beautiful. Both actresses did a phenomenal job. I also liked the actresses who played the young leads. They were also very beautiful and talented. Both main leads have lowkey toxic relationship. But despite that, I still loved them seeing together. They make a good chemistry together. Cinemagraphy was also very beautiful. I loved the plot too. It's very rare for us to get such kind of different thriller crimed lesbian based movies these years so I'm thankful for the crew who decided to make this movie. Also, this movie isn't for everyone. Don't watch this movie if you're expecting some bubbly cliche lesbian romance. This movie has thriller, suspense, high nudity, graphics, etc. I also suggest you not to watch it in front of your parents.
There's 1 thing that I didn't like about the movie. Some camera shots were repititive which made me feel out of plot and bored sometimes. Otherwise, it's a great movie. I suggest everyone to watch it. The ending is also absolutely beautiful and it made sense to the plot.
The movie is very beautiful. Both actresses did a phenomenal job. I also liked the actresses who played the young leads. They were also very beautiful and talented. Both main leads have lowkey toxic relationship. But despite that, I still loved them seeing together. They make a good chemistry together. Cinemagraphy was also very beautiful. I loved the plot too. It's very rare for us to get such kind of different thriller crimed lesbian based movies these years so I'm thankful for the crew who decided to make this movie. Also, this movie isn't for everyone. Don't watch this movie if you're expecting some bubbly cliche lesbian romance. This movie has thriller, suspense, high nudity, graphics, etc. I also suggest you not to watch it in front of your parents.
There's 1 thing that I didn't like about the movie. Some camera shots were repititive which made me feel out of plot and bored sometimes. Otherwise, it's a great movie. I suggest everyone to watch it. The ending is also absolutely beautiful and it made sense to the plot.
Dark love
inesfiliparasteiro18 June 2021
Too long
audreylebriez2 May 2021
This movie is a let down
kiwipeachtastymix29 April 2021
Warning: Spoilers
The movie was way too long and had too many useless scenes that didn't bring anything to the story. The acting was mediocre. The two leads didn't have chemistry and they weren't convincing a as couple.
I didn't like Rei's reaction when Nanae lied to her about calling the police. After this scene I couldn't root for them as a couple because Rei was unlikeable.
The sex scenes weren't good and felt out of place. The movie had a pretty cinematography. Overall I feel like I wasted my time watching this movie.
I didn't like Rei's reaction when Nanae lied to her about calling the police. After this scene I couldn't root for them as a couple because Rei was unlikeable.
The sex scenes weren't good and felt out of place. The movie had a pretty cinematography. Overall I feel like I wasted my time watching this movie.
Beautiful and human
mgreenhalgh-1572716 April 2021
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