“The Forest of Love” is a twisted and dark tale of obsession and manipulation. A charismatic filmmaker lures a group of vulnerable and naive youngsters into his web of deceit, leading to a series of horrific events. The movie is like a rollercoaster ride that takes you on a journey through the minds of disturbed individuals, leaving you feeling shaken but also strangely intrigued by the depths of human depravity. A disturbingly captivating thriller that’s not for the faint-hearted.
CLICK HERE⭳⭳⭳📽️_Watch The Forest of Love 2019 English Subtitles_
Review
In the heart of Japan, there lies a forest. A forest where the trees whisper secrets of the past and present, where the soil is drenched in blood, and where lost souls roam free. It is known as Aokigahara, or The Suicide Forest. And it is here that we find ourselves at the center of Sion Sono’s latest masterpiece, The Forest of Love.
The film opens with a chilling scene of three young girls playing near the edge of the forest. The camera lingers on their innocent faces for a few seconds longer than necessary before moving on to a shot of two men digging a grave. It’s soon made clear that these two worlds will collide in ways that are both shocking and heartbreaking.
The first half hour or so feels like an exercise in excess – too many characters, too much dialogue, too much plot. But as the story begins to take shape, it becomes clear that every detail has been carefully crafted to serve a larger purpose.
At its core, The Forest of Love is a story about obsession – with love, power, fame, and ultimately with death. It follows Joe Murata (played by Kippei Shiina), a charismatic con artist who preys on vulnerable women and convinces them to join his quest for artistic glory.
Along with his loyal sidekick Shin (Shinnosuke Mitsushima), Joe sets his sights on a timid high school student named Mitsuko (Eri Kamataki). He manipulates her into becoming his muse, taking explicit photos of her and using them as part of his performance art.
But Joe’s dark past comes back to haunt him when he reunites with an old friend from prison, the deranged Taeko (Kyoko Hinami). Taeko becomes obsessed with taking revenge on those who wronged her in the past, leading to a series of gruesome murders and twisted actions that leave everyone caught in her web of madness.
The Forest of Love is not an easy watch by any means. It’s violent, sexually explicit, and filled with moments of pure horror. But it’s also a fascinating exploration of human nature, and the lengths we’ll go to in order to satisfy our desires.
The performances are all top-notch, with Shiina and Hinami in particular giving unforgettable turns as two sides of the same coin. The cinematography is stunning, capturing both the beauty and terror of Aokigahara in equal measure.
One scene in particular stands out as a masterclass in tension-building. Joe and Mitsuko are walking through the forest at night, illuminated only by their flashlights. With every step they take, the sound of twigs snapping and leaves rustling grows louder – until finally, they come face-to-face with something truly terrifying.
The Forest of Love has been met with mixed reviews from critics and audiences alike. Some find it too vulgar or bleak for their tastes, while others praise its audacity and complexity. But regardless of where you fall on that spectrum, one thing is clear – Sion Sono’s latest offering is not to be missed.
As George Orwell once said: “In a time of universal deceit – telling the truth is a revolutionary act.” And The Forest of Love is nothing if not a revolutionary act in storytelling. It’s raw, unflinching, and honest about the darkest parts of human nature – but it’s also strangely beautiful in its own twisted way.
In a world where we’re constantly bombarded by sanitized versions of reality on social media and mainstream entertainment, it’s refreshing to see a film that refuses to sugarcoat the truth. The Forest of Love may not be for everyone, but for those willing to take the journey into darkness with Sion Sono – it’s an experience that will stay with them long after the credits roll.
Technical Data
- Runtime : 151
- Release : 2019-10-11
- Genre : Crime, Thriller
- Cast : Kippei Shiina as Joe Murata, Shinnosuke Mitsushima as Shin, Kyoko Hinami as Taeko, Young Dais as Jay, Eri Kamataki as Mitsuko Ozawa
- Crew : Sion Sono as Screenplay, Sion Sono as Director, Sion Sono as Editor, Sohei Tanikawa as Director of Photography, Takashi Matsuzuka as Production Design
- Popularity 12.717
- Budget : 0
- Revenue : 0
- Company : TKD
- Summary : A con man and a would-be filmmaking crew force themselves into the lives of two grief-scarred young women. But nothing is as it seems.
- Tagline : Is it love or is it a lie?
