“Exit 8” follows a man who becomes increasingly desperate when he realizes he’s trapped in an endless subway station. The film is based on the 2023 video game of the same name.
This sounds “cool.” On paper, at least. Translated onscreen, though, actually… yes.
Identity Clear from the Start
“Exit 8” is bound to frustrate audiences. It’s an incredibly simple plot on the surface — and it can certainly feel endless. The movie is full of walking, brief talking and intermittent weirdness. What’s strangest of all, though, is that it actually hides a lot of heart beneath the surface.
From the opening scene alone, “Exit 8” shows viewers what their experience is going to be like. It’s repetitive. It can even be labeled as “gimmicky.” Because of the drawn-out scenes, however, you’ll likely know within the first 10 minutes whether the movie is for you.
Crew and Cast at the Top of Their Game
Cinematographer Keisuke Imamura deserves an abundance of credit for the film’s success. “Exit 8” takes place in one location (an unglamorous one at that). Yet Imamura is able to make it feel lively at every moment. Whether it’s POV-style shots, handheld footage or tracking character movements, the visuals are immersive. Who knew simple walking could look so exciting? But it really does here.
The set itself is simple yet immersive. The vibrant lighting and white-tiled walls generate an effect that is hard to look away from.
Kazunari Ninomiya (Lost Man) has a lot riding on his shoulders in “Exit 8.” Dialogue is minimal in the film, but he still has moments where emotion is let out. On top of this, blank stares and subtle facial shifts tell more than words alone about how his character is processing the events.
Yamato Kochi (Walking Man) and Naru Asanuma (The Boy) add depth with their performances as well. Once again, it’s the mannerisms and expressions that carry the real weight here. While the narrative is mainly focused on Ninomiya’s character, they both manage to steal scenes when present.
Creativity Remains Within Repetitive Structure
“Exit 8” is only 95 minutes long. It can feel like it’s pushing 2-plus hours at times, however. But only at times. The middle segment of the movie, specifically, begins to stumble as the story seemingly starts fizzling out. With the repetitive nature of the plot, fatigue does set in. But, as mentioned, the film has additional tricks up its sleeve.
And those tricks come from director Genki Kawamura and the script written by himself and Kentaro Hirase.
“Exit 8” is a horror movie. There are genuinely unnerving sequences as it teases unease as to what lurks around every corner. It’s a constantly claustrophobic journey that tightens its grip in many different ways. But that’s not all.
WARNING: Click to reveal spoilers about the topics and themes explored in “Exit 8.”
The film is ultimately a story about fatherhood. Asking the question: are you prepared for the responsibilities that await when you leave this tunnel? The mission to reach Exit 8 is determining whether the Lost Man is ready for that role.
“Exit 8” doesn’t show this in its initial stages. The topic is interwoven into the first act of the film, but it’s not clear just how important it is. Because of this, the movie functions as a typical psychological horror film until about the midway point. From then on, it takes a big shift.
Somehow… it works. There are tonal inconsistencies because of this, but the overall metaphor is pulled off surprisingly well.
It’s so effective because this isn’t what you would expect from a movie of this kind. “A man is stuck in a never-ending subway tunnel.” That’s scary, sure. But it isn’t screaming plot-focused. That unexpected element works in the film’s favor, as it manages to satisfy with resonating messages.
“Exit 8” is a surprisingly poignant horror film. The cyclical nature is undoubtedly felt, but it is inventive enough to remain memorable and even impactful.
Rating: 4 out of 5
