After the death of his wife, Shigeharu Aoyama (Ryo Ishibashi) lived as a grieving widower with his young son. Years later his friend, Yasuhisa Yoshikawa (Jun Kinimura), has the idea of holding a mock film audition to find the lonely Aoyama a woman, in the hope that he can form a relationship. On the day of the audition, Aoyama uncomfortably sits through many hopefuls for a fictitious film role, until the pretty, demure Asami (Eihi Shiina) takes her turn. Aoyama is captivated by her, and although there are things about her that just don't add up, he eventually falls in love with her. After spending the weekend together, where she discloses her abusive childhood, Asami mysteriously disappears, leaving Aoyama devastated. He tries in vain to track Asami down and discovers that several of the people associated with her have died or disappeared. Dejected, Aoyama returns home, unaware of the terrifying nightmare that awaits him.

For those unused to the Japanese style of filmmaking, the first half of Audition may seem a little slow and drawn out, but Takashi Miike is a master of building layers and carefully manipulating the viewer, dropping hints along the way that something rather unpleasant is brewing. Eihi Shiina, in her first film role, is wonderful as Asami; brilliantly expressive, often without uttering a word. Audition starts out as a romantic story and cleverly composes tension until the ghastly conclusion grabs you by the throat and rams acupuncture needles deep into your terror meridian. A fine, twisted thriller, with some genuinely cringe inducing moments, and another splendid oriental mindfuck from Mr. Miike.  S.J.T.

Audition. 1997

Directed by Takashi Miike

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