Ashura
阿修羅城の瞳
Adapted from the successful play, the film takes place in 19th-century Japan, where a war between demons and their slayers is fought. Izumo, a kabuki actor with a demon-slaying past, meets and falls in love with Tsubaki. However, something is not right, as mysterious marks appear on her body as time progresses. At the same time, it is announced that Ashura, the queen of all demons, will be resurrected and bring destruction to the universe.
Why it matters
A lush blend of period drama and demon-slaying horror that channels Japanese folklore through a theatrical lens.
- Rooted in kabuki tradition, the film’s stylized visuals and performances echo classical Japanese theater with a supernatural twist.
- Offers a rare 19th-century setting for demon horror, merging cultural history with cosmic stakes.
- Practical creature effects and makeup deliver unsettling demon designs that avoid CGI’s coldness.
- For fans of folk horror and mythic battles, this is a feast of atmosphere and doomed romance wrapped in spectral menace.
Director
3 horror films in catalog
Cast
Horror DNA
Gore
14
Slow Burn
33
Psychological
14
Supernatural
60
Creature
18
Disturbing
17
Fun Factor
50
Cerebral
14
Survival
50
