Directed by Kensuke Sonomura and written by Yugo Sakamoto, after being possessed by the ghost of vengeful hit man Kudo, college student Fumika Matsuoka agrees to help him finish his quest for vengeance from beyond the grave. Starring: Akari Takaishi, Masanori Mimoto and Mario Kuroba.
There are so many ways a film like Ghost Killer could go wrong, to be overly cheesy or silly or sleazy, which is what makes it all the more satisfying when a filmmaker gets it right and Yugo Sakamoto absolutely does. The filmmakers manage to bring that playful energy while still holding onto a sincerity. It also stands out that its leading lady Fumika (Akari Takaishi) takes plenty of time to point out how genuinely inconvenient it is to be possessed, it adds a nicely relatable note to something that is rather ridiculous.
It sounds a little strange but that exasperation that both Fumika and Kudo (Masanori Mimoto) so clearly have is surprisingly charming. It gives them a great banter that gradually builds into a mutual respect which is endearing to watch. Takaishi and Mimoto make for an excellent duo, they capture the perfect essence for Ghost Killer which is pure entertainment and no surprise from these two. Their performances portray exactly that tone of not taking yourself too seriously and having fun with it. They also help to build a genuine heart to the film which helps keep you glued in.
One of the interesting and unusual choices that the filmmakers make is to use the score minimally. You’d expect these highly choreographed fight scenes to have a rousing score or soundtrack and yet there isn’t, and it works. The choreography is definitely a highlight, especially when it’s paired with some really strong editing work. A fight scene lives and dies by the editing, it has to have that speed, energy and punch, which Ghost Killer gets right.
Ghost Killer is a vehicle for entertainment and that’s exactly what it gives viewers. Every element understands the assignment, to provide a good time. Especially the cast, Akari Takaishi and Masanori Mimoto make for a classically unlikely duo, and are very enjoyable to watch stumble to find their connection while working together to kick some ass. While we don’t all need to be possessed by a hitman to find our power, it’s fun to watch Fumika find her true strength through a violent, funny and charming misadventure.
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