HFN REVIEW: NUCLEAR NIGHTMARES IN ‘GHOSTS OF HIROSHIMA’
By Nick Kondo
Synopsis: 77 years after the bombing of Hiroshima, a malevolent force lingers at the site of nuclear calamity. Those who encounter this vengeful spirit are forever consumed by its wrath.
Very few films generate the methodical sense of dread associated with J-Horror classics such as Ringu or Ju On: The Grudge. There’s something to be said for those soggy, dark-haired girls that stalk and drip their way into our subconscious. Is it a grudge? Is it a curse? Does it matter? It’s a terrifying recipe for a paranormal parable.
Enter Ghosts of Hiroshima, a found footage picture from upstart and appropriately named film studio, Ghost Machine Pictures. Writer/Director Brandon Walker takes a decidedly East meets West approach when crafting this unique brand of historically-inspired horror. The milieu may seem familiar at first, but this moody, bite-size dreadful eventually takes a hard left into dark and experimental territory.
The talented cast of Ghosts of Hiroshima punches above the standard low-budget faire. Robert Palmer Watkins (General Hospital, Walking Dead: World Beyond) portrays a relatable “fish out of water” as a video gear guru who unexpectedly inherits property in Japan. Robert as “Eric” strikes a perfect balance between surging confidence and vulnerability. The character’s optimism despite past indiscretions makes for a compelling protagonist’s journey.
Once in Japan, Eric meets a disarmingly attractive estate representative named Nori, played duplicitously by Ashley Park (Rosewood, Stay, Los Angeles Overnight). Cooly capable and more calculating than meets the eye, Nori lays the groundwork for Eric’s contractually mandated 24-hour occupancy of the Hiroshima house. Once on property, Eric encounters Yoshio, a mischievous boy whose face is offputtingly obscured by a wooden mask. Portrayed by child actor Max Bishop, Yoshio is a haunting example of how truly creepy kids can be.
If there is a singular performance in Ghosts of Hiroshima, it comes courtesy of actor Akihiro Kitamura (Human Centipede, Cobra Kai) in the chilling role of Mr. Yamahura. Speaking to us from beyond the grave, Yamahura is a Hiroshima bomb survivor who communicates his suffering via a terrifying videotape. Akihiro’s otherworldly portrayal channels the ghosts of nuclear warfare in the film’s most evocative and avant-garde moments.
So, what exactly happens when a paranormal curse is born from the ashes of nuclear warfare? As with most Asian-inspired horror stories, bad things can happen to anyone, whether deserving or not. And once a malevolent force is unleashed, it can never be stopped. Unlike many films in this budget category, Ghosts of Hiroshima leverages its found footage DNA rather than using it as a crutch. While some shaky handheld camera moments are to be expected, the filmmakers mixed pristine video capture with grainy surveillance footage to great effect.
With that said, Ghosts of Hiroshima is still an independent film through and through. Despite being a well-made genre picture with penny-pinching style, at times, it presents an atmosphere that might feel foreign to modern audiences - like a piece of underground cinema that not everyone appreciates. This more alternative quality, however, makes Ghosts of Hiroshima crackle with dark experimental energy. Credit to Editor/Sound Designer Thomas Burke, who takes us on this paranormal acid trip with mind-bending cuts and atmospheric soundscapes.
If you are a fan of Asian horror, found footage, or just love a good ghost story, this one rises above its budgetary limitations. Overall, Ghosts of Hiroshima is an intriguing low-tech movie that delivers on its high concept premise. Streaming now on Amazon Prime Video and Tubi.