Cloud (2024)

"So this is how I go to hell"

Got the chance to watch it in a limited film fest screening and it was definitely worth it. Let me say first that when I watched this the theater was almost full and the movie received a warm applause from the viewers.

On to the review.

The story revolves on Yoshii Ryosuke an internet reseller who purposely inflates his merchandise. As he repeats the cycle of bulk buying in cheap amount and reselling the items on the net at inflated prices, he acquires grudge from certain people who takes it into their hands to hunt him.

The first half focuses on Yoshii's routine with his factory job, her gf, his reselling on the side, and occasional talks with his school senior. The unsettling mood slowly seeps into his life starting from little pranks and gradually develops into a game of tag riddled with bullets during the later half of the movie.

The deadpan and detached characters that are all suspicious makes a great ensemble for the psychological thriller. The combination of sudden burst of emotions and subtlety of reactions in contrast to one another differentiates the movie from your usual psychological thrillers.

The script is another strong point of the movie which emphasized on the disconnection of the characters to the dire events surrounding them. Often being odd to the point of comedic.

The movie is an interesting take on the complex man who wants to keep his 'conventional happiness' as he descends on a path to hell indifferent to the bodies he leaves behind.

Suda's eyes mostly did the acting for this one. No cheap over the top reactions, no screaming, yelling, or any intense emotion except for one moment. The closing scene which focuses on his face as he utters the line "so this is how I go to hell" with the movie slowly fading out with his eyes as the last thing you see before the credits roll.

Okudaira, this young talent shines once again as a pivotal character filled with mystery. Others might not like the ambiguity of his nature and motives but I think it was perfect. His ambiguity was the take home given to the viewers. I love it when you're given something to make hypothesis on so you can discuss it with others after the movie.

Kotone seemed like an accessory for most of the part but eventually succumbs to her desires towards the end. That last little heart skip before the movie draws to a close.

Cloud is for the people who don't put everything on the scales of right and wrong or put themselves on the shoes of the lead or any character in the movie. Cloud is made for the people who enjoy a revenge, "what goes around comes around" kind of movie with unexpected turns. Those who don't mind morally gray to borderline psycho characters, ambiguity and unsettling silence. This is for the Noir fans.

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