Release Date: August 29, 2025
Directed by: Genki Kawamura
Starring: Sosuke Ikematsu, Haruna Kawaguchi, Joe Odagiri
Genre: Psychological Horror, Surreal Mystery
Language: Japanese (with subtitles for the brave souls who don’t skip foreign films)
Distributed by: Shochiku Co., Ltd.
Rotten Tomatoes Anticipation Score: 100% (8 critics, all of whom now avoid subways)
What the Hell Is Going On Here?
So, you’re walking down a quiet Tokyo subway passage at night, alone, because bad decisions are your middle name. You notice something’s… off. The signs keep pointing to “Exit 8,” but no matter how far you walk, you never reach it. Instead, the signs start getting closer, the lighting flickers, and time folds in on itself like a badly written IKEA manual.
In Exit 8, Sosuke Ikematsu plays the unlucky nightwalker stuck in a never-ending corridor that feels like Silent Hill’s minimalist cousin — no fog, just pure existential dread. And just when you think it’s safe to blink, you loop back to the same point. Again. And again. And again.
This isn’t your average jumpscare junk. It’s a unique blend of cosmic horror, which delves into the existential dread of the unknown, and urban folklore, which draws on the eerie stories and myths that circulate in city environments. All of this is wrapped in a minimalist, arthouse aesthetic that dares you to keep watching — even though nothing (and everything) is happening.
Based on What?
Yup — Exit 8 is based on that viral Japanese short film from a few years back that turned TikTok and Reddit threads into therapy sessions. The short was only 8 minutes long, but fans begged for a full-length version — and like cursed wishes, they got one.
If you haven’t watched the short yet, do yourself a favor: it’s on YouTube. Watch it at 2 AM. Alone. With headphones. Then come back and try to explain it to someone. Go on, we dare you.
Why You Shouldn’t Miss It
- Directed by Genki Kawamura, a visionary filmmaker known for his unique storytelling and emotional depth in films like A Hundred Flowers and If Cats Disappeared From the World (emotional chaos with paws), Exit 8 promises to be a thought-provoking and unsettling experience.
- The film’s creeping dread style, reminiscent of the unsettling atmosphere in Skinamarink and the disorienting setting of The Backrooms, is a unique blend that sets it apart from typical horror films.
- Rotten Tomatoes score is 100% so far. Sure, it’s only 8 critics… but still — that’s 8 people who probably needed a drink after watching it.
- No overdone CGI or American scream queens here — just pure psychological decay with subway aesthetics.
What the Freak Is the Plot, Really?
A man walks into a subway tunnel. The lights flicker. The signs change. He passes the same trash, the same vending machine. He speeds up. The footsteps behind him don’t stop. Reality begins to glitch. You think he’s paranoid — until you realize you’re paranoid now, too.
It’s a slow descent into madness. Or maybe he’s dead. Or dreaming. Or trapped in a pocket dimension where the Tokyo Metro is run by Satan. Either way, you’re not getting out at Exit 8.
Our Take – From We the Freakers
We’ve seen horror that screams. This one whispers, and it still makes our skin crawl. Exit 8 is proof that sometimes less is terrifyingly more, like when your Uber driver misses the exit and now you’re in a different timeline.
This is the kind of film that doesn’t spoon-feed you, doesn’t hold your hand — hell, it doesn’t even acknowledge you’re watching. It just… exists. And we’re obsessed.
If you love dread that builds like a migraine and vibes that feel illegal, Exit 8 might be the most disturbing 70 minutes you’ll spend this year. And you’ll love every second of it.
So yeah, we at We the Freakers are watching this with one eye open, one hand on the remote, and a growing fear of underground tunnels. See you at the exit — or not.
Still Haunted? Here’s More Freaky Fuel:
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“If creepy rituals and retro occult vibes are your thing, Witchboard (2025) is summoning your attention. Ouija boards, possession, and Chuck Russell’s return—read the full cursed preview here.“
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“Need more cursed corridors and psychological chaos? The Long Walk (2025) drops you into a dystopian nightmare where the only direction is forward—preview it here.“
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“For fans of atmospheric, reality-bending horror, Traumatika (2025) delivers parental trauma, poltergeists, and possibly the worst case of sleep paralysis ever filmed. Explore the madness.“
Welcome to the twisted corner of the internet, where sarcasm meets screams. I’m The Freaker — horror junkie, pop culture troll, and the guy who thinks possession movies are better than therapy (and cheaper too). When I’m not binge-watching cursed VHS tapes or judging slasher logic, I’m writing blogs that bleed humor, sass, and unfiltered chaos.
Expect deep dives into horror movies, half-baked fan theories, and more red flags than your ex’s dating history. This blog isn’t for the faint-hearted or the easily offended — it’s for the freaks, the scream queens, and everyone who secretly roots for the villain.
Grab your popcorn, holy water, and a sense of humor.
You’re in The Freaker’s house now — and yes, the walls do bleed.
