Watch The Audition

The Audition is a Japanese horror film directed by Takashi Miike. The film follows the story of a middle-aged, widowed piano teacher named Aoyama who lives in Tokyo with his teenage son Shigehiko. Aoyama decides that it's time for him to start dating again and finds himself intrigued by a personal ad placed in a local paper by a young woman named Asami who describes herself as a former ballerina. Aoyama is immediately smitten with Asami's photograph and her description of herself and sets up an audition to meet her.

During the audition, Asami is quiet and reserved but seems to be perfect for the role that Aoyama has envisioned for her to fill in his life. Despite some reservations from his friend, Yoshikawa, Aoyama begins to date Asami and falls deeply in love with her. However, as the relationship progresses, Aoyama begins to notice disturbing signs about Asami's past and becomes increasingly worried about her true intentions.

Asami's past is slowly revealed through a series of flashbacks, including her relationship with a wealthy businessman who shows her a life of luxury and pleasure only to abandon her for a younger woman. This traumatic event seems to be the catalyst for Asami's descent into madness, and we soon begin to realize that she is not at all the sweet, innocent girl that Aoyama thought she was.

The Audition is a haunting film that explores themes of love, obsession, and the destructive power of the past. Miike's direction is masterful, building a sense of dread and unease that permeates every scene. The performances by the actors are outstanding, particularly those of Ryo Ishibashi as Aoyama and Eihi Shiina as Asami. The film is also notable for its use of sound, which is expertly employed to create tension and atmosphere.

Miike's handling of the horror elements of the film is also impressive, as he creates a sense of horror that is both psychological and visceral. We are never quite sure if the horrors that we are witnessing are real or if they are simply the product of Aoyama's fears and anxieties. The film also cleverly subverts expectations, lulling the audience into a false sense of security before unleashing a barrage of violence and bloodshed in the final act.

Overall, The Audition is a true masterpiece of horror cinema that will stay with you long after the credits have rolled. It's a film that is both beautiful and terrifying, exploring the depths of human emotion in a way that is both compelling and disturbing. If you're a fan of horror, this is a film that you simply can't afford to miss.