Puzzle
パズル
High school student Azusa jumps off from the rooftop of a school building, but she survives. One month later, the school is taken over by group of people wearing bizarre masks. A pregnant teacher is imprisoned, while the head director of the school and male students disappear. Azusa then finds pieces of a puzzle in an envelope given to her by classmate Shigeo. The puzzle pieces holds the key to solve the case. Azusa chases after Shigeo and she sees something which is unimaginable.
Why it matters
A surreal, puzzle-box nightmare that twists high school horror into unsettling territory with its eerie masks and cryptic mystery.
- Brews a claustrophobic atmosphere blending body horror and psychological dread reminiscent of late-’70s J-horror.
- Azusa’s journey unfolds like a cryptic game, rewarding viewers who savor cryptic symbolism over straightforward scares.
- Practical effects and bizarre creature designs recall the tactile ingenuity of KNB and Bottin’s best work, lending grotesque weight to the nightmare.
- Fans of obscure Asian horror and cult midnight cinema will find its off-kilter narrative and unsettling visuals a rich vein of unease.
Director
2 horror films in catalog
Cast
Horror DNA
Gore
0
Slow Burn
33
Psychological
29
Supernatural
0
Creature
0
Disturbing
33
Fun Factor
17
Cerebral
0
Survival
66
Mind Games
