Onibaba
鬼婆
While her son, Kichi, is away at war, a woman and her daughter-in-law survive by killing samurai who stray into their swamp, then selling whatever valuables they find. Both are devastated when they learn that Kichi has died, but his wife soon begins an affair with a neighbor who survived the war, Hachi. The mother disapproves and, when she can't steal Hachi for herself, tries to scare her daughter-in-law with a mysterious mask from a dead samurai.
Why it matters
A haunting fusion of folk horror and psychological dread that uses war’s devastation as a crucible for primal fear and human desperation.
- Shinya Tsukamoto’s atmospheric direction crafts a swampy, claustrophobic world where nature and violence intertwine.
- The iconic demon mask is a chilling symbol of repression and madness, delivering one of horror’s most unforgettable visual motifs.
- A rare early example of Japanese horror blending social commentary with supernatural tension, predating J-horror’s global rise.
- Perfect for fans of mood-driven, slow-burn horror that uses folklore to expose raw human emotions and societal breakdown.
Director
2 horror films in catalog
Cast
Horror DNA
Gore
0
Slow Burn
66
Psychological
86
Supernatural
40
Creature
18
Disturbing
50
Fun Factor
0
Cerebral
99
Survival
66
Survival
