Audition

The harsh fluorescent lights of the audition room hum, casting a sterile glow on the nervous faces of young women. Shigeharu Aoyama, a widower haunted by the memory of his deceased wife Ryoko, sits behind a table with his colleague Yasuhisa Yoshikawa, both masked with the pretense of casting a leading lady for a nonexistent film. But this is all a ruse, a calculated attempt to find Shigeharu a new partner. Among the hopefuls is Asami Yamazaki, a quiet, enigmatic beauty who instantly captivates Shigeharu. Her demure smile hides depths he can’t comprehend. Soon, missed phone calls and fragmented conversations hint at a darker reality. The orchestrated charade spirals into a chilling nightmare, as Asami’s true nature begins to unravel, revealing a terrifying obsession that threatens to consume Shigeharu’s life and expose the fatal consequences of his carefully constructed “audition.”

Movie Overview

Movie Cast

Storyline

In Tokyo, seven years after the death of his wife Ryoko, the lonely and emotionally vulnerable Shigeharu Aoyama, pressured by his son Shigehiko, decides to re-enter the dating world. Encouraged by his film producer friend, Yasuhisa Yoshikawa, Shigeharu concocts a deceptive audition process under the guise of casting for a new film, secretly intending to find a potential wife. Among the numerous applicants, he becomes captivated by the demure and seemingly innocent Asami Yamazaki, a former ballerina with a mysterious past. As Shigeharu delves deeper into a relationship with Asami, ignoring subtle warnings from friends like Mr. Shimada who grow suspicious of her background, he finds himself increasingly isolated. The film cleverly interweaves scenes of Asami’s seemingly docile present with unsettling glimpses into her gruesome past, gradually revealing her to be a disturbed and dangerous woman holding a dark secret. The narrative intensifies as Shigeharu becomes completely enamored, blinding himself to the glaring red flags and ignoring calls from people about Asami. What began as a quest for love soon spirals into a horrifying nightmare as Asami’s true nature emerges, leading to a brutal confrontation where Shigeharu faces the terrifying consequences of his desires and the deceptive façade of the woman he thought he knew, leaving the audience questioning the nature of reality and the hidden depths of the human psyche.

Details

In Takashi Miike’s unsettling masterpiece, “Audition,” widower Shigeharu Aoyama, played by Ryo Ishibashi, is coaxed by his friend Yasuhisa Yoshikawa to find a new wife through a staged film audition. Seven years after losing his wife, Ryoko Aoyama, Shigeharu cautiously agrees, seeing it as a harmless way to meet potential partners. Among the many women auditioning, he becomes captivated by the demure and seemingly innocent Asami Yamazaki, portrayed by Eihi Shiina. As Shigeharu pursues a relationship with Asami, a dark and disturbing undercurrent begins to surface. What starts as a hopeful search for love gradually descends into a nightmarish exploration of repressed desires and the horrifying consequences of judging by appearances. The film meticulously unravels Asami’s true nature, revealing a past marred by trauma and a present fueled by vengeance, transforming the romantic pursuit into a gruesome and unforgettable descent into madness. The chilling transformation of the narrative, combined with the haunting score, establishes a pervasive sense of dread, making “Audition” a disturbing examination of love, loss, and the hidden darkness that can lurk beneath the surface of seemingly ordinary people. The film explores themes of loneliness, societal expectations, and the dangers of objectification, ultimately delivering a powerful and deeply unsettling cinematic experience.

FAQs

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What is the movie “Audition” about?

“Audition” tells the story of a widower who stages a fake film audition to find a new wife, but becomes entangled with a woman who is not what she seems.

What genres does “Audition” belong to?

The movie is a blend of Horror and Drama.

Who directed “Audition”?

Takashi Miike directed the film.

Who are the main actors in “Audition”?

The main actors are Ryo Ishibashi as Shigeharu Aoyama and Eihi Shiina as Asami Yamazaki.

When was “Audition” released?

The movie was released on March 3, 2000.

What is the original language of “Audition”?

The original language is Japanese.

What is the runtime of “Audition”?

The movie’s runtime is 115 minutes.

What is the movie’s tagline?

The tagline is “She always gets a part.”

Where was “Audition” produced?

“Audition” was primarily produced in Japan.

Is “Audition” considered an adult film?

No, “Audition” is not classified as an adult film.

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