Common Sense Media Review
By Jose Solis
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Japanese thriller features many bloody scenes and gore.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 16+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Watch
Videos and Photos
Lumberjack the Monster
Parent and Kid Reviews
What's the Story?
In LUMBERJACK THE MONSTER, Akira (Kazuya Kamenashi) is attacked by a man dressed as the infamous Lumberjack serial killer. After escaping he becomes frustrated with the police department's inefficient methods and decides to go after the killer himself. Soon Akira finds himself going down a rabbit hole that leads to a tragic story from the past.
Is It Any Good?
Japanese director Takashi Miike is no stranger to shocking audience members with gore, violence and unspeakable horrors. But in Lumberjack the Monster, the usually inventive director relies on tropes and stereotypes lesser filmmakers used to copy from him. Relying on a children's story allegory, he creates a paper-thin story meant to show us there's a thin line between going from predator to prey. J-pop star Kazuya Kamenashi does a serviceable job, but fails to infuse his character with the strength needed to hold a psychological thriller, reducing the film to a series of unnecessarily bloody moments with no depth.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about how Akira decides to take justice into his own hands. Is he being courageous or resilient? Why?
The Lumberjack shares features with children's tales like the Boogeyman. Do you think figures like these are still effective in teaching kids' lessons? Why or why not?
What was it like to see the scenes in which kids are used for experiments? Were they scary? Do they seem realistic?
Movie Details
- On DVD or streaming : June 1, 2024
- Cast : Kazuya Kamenashi , Riho Yoshioka , Nanao
- Director : Takashi Miike
- Inclusion Information : Asian Movie Director(s) , Female Movie Actor(s)
- Studio : Netflix
- Genre : Horror
- Run time : 117 minutes
- MPAA rating :
- Last updated : July 26, 2024
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