• Release year: 2024
• Director: Kensuke Sonomura.
• Producers: Tsuyoshi Hitomi, Hiroaki Saizu, and Yoshie Wada.
• Screenplay by: Yugo Sakamoto.
• Cinematography by: Moritada Iju.
• Music by: Nobuhiko Morino.

Shotgun Commentary: hilarious action film with some of the best fight choreos ever made.

Review

Ghost Killer is a comedy feature for action lovers with a really simple premise and tons of satisfying scenes where slimy men get what they deserve. The commentary on sexism and rape culture is clear. Most of the targets display the common behaviours that women have to put up with on a daily basis, and as a result, the protagonist displays how most of us would like to deal with those situations if we had the right set of abilities.

Body language

The film begins with a fight so amazing, so well-choreographed, and so realistic that it is hard not to fall in love with the movie then and there. Unlike most action films, the enemies don’t attack one by one, they all go after the hero at the same time. You know, as anybody with two working neurons would. This small but mighty detail raises the film to major leagues of talent within two minutes of footage alone.

Action scenes often feel like a must, like the director felt forced to add them just because the script requires it and not because they are part of the message itself. However, in Ghost Killer every interaction, whether textual or physical, tells a story. Every punch showcases the feelings and intentions of the characters, the way they fight exposes their values and principles, and their strategy talks of their experience and intelligence. As such, each fight reveals just as much, if not more, about the story than the conversations do.

Of course, there is an added element of comedy, mostly drawn from the fact that a completely harmless student gets possessed by an expert hitman. Both characters are constantly shocked at the other’s actions and reactions, which makes every minute hilarious and deeply enjoyable. Additionally, there is a particular, unbreakable rule between them that makes their relationship all the more wholesome, but let’s set the context before getting into that.

A unique couple

The student haunted by the ghost is Fumika Matsuoka (Akari Takaishi), a girl introduced to the audience in one of the most cringe and relatable situations possible: a date with a narcissistic douche. This man is completely unaware of how boring and annoying he is, which makes Fumika even more frustrated, leading to her discovery of the bullet and her connection with the ghost through the rage they both feel.

Takaishi does a great job, especially considering how dynamic her performance is and the non-stop character switch she embodies in many of the scenes. Her character is similar to that of her ghost’s in the way they both want to get revenge against bad people. Only Matsuoka’s case is way more relatable, particularly for female audiences, as most of the horrible men she rebels against are depressingly ubiquitous in real life. Men who hit women, who drug women to rape them, who condescend and put down anything women say, etc.

#consent

This very satisfying retribution, thanks to Matsuoka’s team up with the ghost Kudo (Masanori Mimoto), leads us to the aforementioned rule between them. He never possesses her body without her express permission. If you think about it, he totally could, and he has no obligation further than the moral one to give it back.

However, he always makes sure that she agrees with it and always leaves her body the minute the danger is gone. As such, despite his line of work, he represents the complete opposite to the rest of the men. This detail exposes just how crucial respecting consent is in all matters of one’s life, but especially when it comes to intimate relations (yes, even possessing a person as a ghost).

All in all, Ghost Killer is a genius action comedy that taps into very dark and relevant social topics effortlessly while also managing to entertain the hell out of you. The fight scenes alone are worth every second, but the story itself is not far off. Highly recommend if you want to have a great time.

Advice to take from this movie:

• Sometimes being haunted by a ghost is the best thing that could happen to you.
• If your partner is abusive, leave him and ask for help. Never let anyone determine your worth.
• If you aspire to have a partner, consent is KEY.

What’s your take? Have you watched Ghost Killer? Don’t hesitate to let me know your thoughts in the comments section below, or leave a message in my contact page! For more reviews and cinema-related articles, check out the rest of my blog! 😀