Warau Mushi Blu-ray

The dream of a slower life was supposed to mean enjoyable days in the countryside. Before they realize it, escape may already be impossible. Warau Mushi is a village thriller that mercilessly exposes the dark side of closed rural communities. It received the Special Jury Prize in the Directors’ Week feature competition at the 45th Porto International Film Festival and the Best Screenplay Award at the 27th Udine Far East Film Festival.

Drawing on cases of village ostracism across Japan, the film realistically depicts actual local codes and reveals a form of village society hidden in the shadows of modern life. Mai Fukagawa, formerly of Nogizaka46, continues her acting career after Ima wa Chotto, Tsuitenai Dake (2022) and Jinsei ni Tsunda Moto Idol wa, Aka no Tanin no Ossan to Sumu Sentaku o Shita (2023). She stars alongside Ryuya Wakaba, whose performances in Ichiko (2023) and the television drama Unmet: A Neurosurgeon’s Diary (2024) remain memorable.

Asamiya’s residents are played by a distinctive, accomplished ensemble including Kaoru Sugita, Yuya Matsuura, Reiko Kataoka and Kota Nakayama. Tomorowo Taguchi lends an unsettling presence to Takubo, the neighbourhood-association head who controls the village. Alongside his acting, Taguchi has also demonstrated his directing talent in Shikisoku Generation (2009) and Piece of Cake (2015).

Screenwriter Eisuke Naito, known for socially engaged work, shocked film audiences with the real-incident-inspired Sensei o Ryuzan Saseru Kai (2012) and earned acclaim for Misumisou (2018) and Yurusareta Kodomotachi (2020). Director Hideo Jojo is recognized for realistic character portrayals in Alps Stand no Hashi no Ho (2020), Joshikosei ni Korosaretai (2022), Believers (2022) and Warui Natsu (2025). At a time when country living is attracting new enthusiasm, their collaboration creates a village thriller that digs unflinchingly into the community’s darker side.

Illustrator Anna, who longs for rural life, leaves the city with her husband Terumichi after he quits his office job, and the couple move to Asamiya Village. The residents show an excessive devotion to Takubo. Although the couple are frustrated by their neighbours’ overbearing interference, they enjoy a slower life in their new home. Gradually, Anna becomes suspicious as she notices that some villagers seem afraid of the association head.

Meanwhile, Terumichi begins helping Takubo with his work and discovers the village’s hidden code. To protect his family from being ostracized, he finds himself submitting to those rules. The Blu-ray comes in a special sleeve case and includes making-of footage, stage greetings from the completion screening and release celebration, and a compilation of the teaser, main theatrical trailer and cinema-etiquette commercial.