The best drama movie you missed in theaters is now available to stream – and has a 91% rating on Rotten Tomatoes
When I saw Evil Does Not Exist in the cinema earlier this year, something strange happened. When the credits rolled, no one moved. Usually, in a packed cinema, the second the film ends, you rush for the exit, but in this case, it was as if the entire audience had stopped to take a breath and reflect on the film we had just seen.
This acclaimed drama from Drive My Car director Ryusuke Hamaguchi is an exceptionally thoughtful film. Not only is it a drama that will keep you glued to the screen for its entire running time, but it’s also a rare film that will leave you thinking about what you’ve just seen long after the credits roll, and might even inspire you to make some changes in your own life.
Perhaps unsurprisingly, this Japanese drama didn’t get the attention it deserved in theaters, being overshadowed by popcorn blockbusters and major studio releases. However, earlier this week (on August 20), it was made available on premium streaming platforms like Prime Video, and I hope that this will bring the film to a wider audience.
If you’re looking for something more thoughtful, with a strong emphasis on realistic characters and stunning cinematography, here’s why Evil Doesn’t Exist is a film you should watch this week…
What is “Evil Does Not Exist” about?
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Set in the stunning Japanese mountain village of Mizubiki, Evil Does Not Exist follows Takumi (Hitoshi Omika), who lives a simple life with his young daughter and spends his days doing various odd jobs for the people in the local community.
When the villagers learn that a major construction company plans to build a glamping site nearby, they are deeply concerned about the impact this will have on their way of life and also the devastating pollution that the tourists will bring with them.
Takumi expresses his frustration to company representatives Takahashi (Ryuji Kosaka) and Mayuzumi (Ayaka Shibutani), but the executives plan to move forward with the plans regardless of these concerns, leading to unforeseen consequences for everyone involved.
Reviews of “Evil Does Not Exist” – Critics love this film
I am obviously not the only one who was seriously impressed by Evil Does Not Exist. The film has an impressive score of 91% on Rotten tomatoes This means that the show has been awarded the coveted “Certified Fresh” seal of quality. The audience share of 82% is also impressive.
Odie Henderson from the Boston Globe said: “I had no idea where Hamaguchi’s cautionary tale would take me, but I remained fascinated until the bitter end.” Barry Hertz of Globe and Mail was even more impressed, stating, “(Evil Does Not Exist) is a masterpiece worthy of intense debate, with each side having a valid point of view.”
Another extremely positive report came from The Daily BeastNick Schager of the jury. They called “Evil Does Not Exist” a “masterful film” and argued that it “invites thought and in return delivers lyrical beauty, haunting mystery and more than a little unexpected terror.”
Not all critics were so enthusiastic about Ryusuke Hamaguchi’s latest project. The deliberately slow pace alienated some viewers like Kyle Smith of Wall Street Journal.
“He revels in long, patient scenes of chopping wood or filling containers with water from a stream, and beams with appreciation for life away from civilization in an otherwise hectic time. But a film should be more than just a mood,” Smith said in a rather mixed review.
You must stream “Evil Does Not Exist” now
I feel I should warn any potential viewers that Evil Does Not Exist is a very slow-paced film. In some ways, it’s almost more of a mood film than a conventional film (though that’s not to say its overarching narrative isn’t still compelling when it takes center stage). If you’re looking for action thrills or adrenaline-pumping scenes, this film is definitely not for you.
However, if you don’t mind a slower drama and appreciate some absolutely stunning shots of rural Japan (seriously, this film made me want to live in the Japanese forests!) then you’ll get a lot of enjoyment out of Evil Does Not Exist. Its thoughtful nature left me thinking about my own approach to the environment by the end.
If you’re not sure if Evil Doesn’t Exist is right for you, or just want even more movie recommendations, be sure to check out this overlooked thriller, which also came out as a streaming movie this month, along with our roundup of the best classic films just released on Prime Video.
Buy or rent “Evil Does Not Exist” on Amazon Now
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