A contested and complicated will brings out secrets, betrayal, and murder in Kon Ichikawa’s THE INUGAMI FAMILY. The twisty and delightfully dark murder mystery is now on Blu-ray from Radiance Films.
The Film
The Inugami Family, my and Radiance‘s second film from director Kon Ichikawa this week, also deals with the personal pangs of trust, betrayal, and murder. Unlike Ten Women in Black, 1976’s the Inugami Family has plenty of murder. I loved it. A biting satire of family politics, backstabbing, and layers of mystery, it’s a thrilling picture with well-drawn characters, a driving plot, and wonderful twists.
Not written by Natto Wada this time, instead Ichikawa, Norio Osada, and Shin-ya Hidaka adapt Seishi Yokomizo’s 1950 novel, titled The Inugami Curse. When a family patriarch dies, his executor reluctantly presents a complex will. Between his three daughters (all from different mothers), their sons, outsider Tamayo (our co-lead), and a few others, he has some stipulations. The outsider must marry a brother for anything to happen, or if they’re dead, she gets everything. Unless a daughter meets some criteria. Or it all gets tossed if other conditions are or are not met. Also on hand is the other lead, bumbling detective Kosuke Kindiachi, a continuing character from Yokomizo’s works, there because dear dead dad knows it’s going to be contentious and maybe violent. So with several of that web of If/thens for the will involving “if X is dead, then more cash to others”… guess some people might have to die, starting with the lawyer; the only one who can really work this out.
Whoo. Yeah. It’s complicated. Maybe a bit too complicated. I admit, there were times I got in the weeds on who was who and the whys, although they usually worked themselves out. That web means the film is long, two hours and twenty-six minutes, and occasionally feels it. Yes, I was overwhelmed, but I was also engaged and curious about how it unfolds. The Inguami Family is a murder mystery with several levels. Since everyone has something to gain and lose, along with a whole slew of questions of identity (like who is Tomayo, what about the scared, masked man who claims to be a brother, and who is the other guy slinking around?), it’s deliciously plotted to have Tomayo and Kindaichi try to get ahead of the deaths via specifically chosen weapons (these aren’t random weapons, but tie into). Betrayals, backstabbing, and a slew of secrets are ready to come out.
Ichikawa’s direction is wonderfully shot and put together. It’s a truly gorgeous film, with deep focus, incredible production design, and a dark color palette. The imagery is amazing, like legs sitting straight up from the water. The Unagami Family has more than enough horror undertones with that and, well, the vicious murders. A delicious mean streak comes through.
One of the joys of Radiance and their specific niche of underseen international (from a US-based writer’s perspective) cinema is films like The Inugami Family. The film was massive in Japan, a turning point in their cinema, and it had a few more adaptations for TV and film (and a Nintendo DS game!), plus five further films featuring Koji Ishizaka as Detective Kindaichi. But I’ve never heard of it until it landed on my doorstep, and that’s not just me. It’s rarely been seen outside of Japan. And that’s a shame, as it’s a solid flick and should have more international acclaim.
The Packaging and Presentation.
Radiance puts The Inugami Family on a single-disc Blu-ray, the first US release. The disc image is a white title on a light blue background. It’s housed within a clear Blu-ray case with the booklet. One side is the original art, and the other is new artwork by Time Tomorrow. Love the new art. The new art side has the OBI strip to keep the image clear. Spine number #196. Radiance shares the 2021 4k restoration performed by Kadokawa. It’s fine print, highlighting the film’s dark hue without losing anything in the shadows or darkness. The audio has a rich soundscape in the Japanese mono. With English subtitles.
The Features
Radiance packs the disc with over two hours of features!
Aaron Gerow (new)
The film scholar explores the film’s impact on the Japanese film industry. It was a sea change in marketing and release. Great appreciation! (23m) In English
Secrets of Kon Ichikawa’s Visual Style (2023 on disc, originally 1991)
Produced by biographer Yuuki Miro, the director discusses his career and style, with cuts to his work. Fascinating to hear directly from him; he has great insights. (44m) In Japanese.
Off Shoots (2023, 1991)
Some BTS footage and cut bits for the above (8m)
Verification: How The Inugami Family Was Made (2023, but I think it came from earlier based on the shooting; also 1991?)
Cast and crew look back at the film’s creation and release. A bit dry but also detailed (30m)
The Birth of Kosuke Kindaichi (archival)
Koji Ishizaka, the actor for detective Kosuke Kindaichi, talks about developing the character with Ichikawa, who is apparently very different from the books. He’d go on to play him a few more times, and he gets into the details of getting into the character (16m)
The Path of 4k Digital Restoration (archival)
Very technical but also highly informative about how a restoration comes together. Usually we just see the comparison and a little note, but they get into it here. Highly appreciated. (12m)
Trailers
Booklet
A stapled 40-page booklet. Along with the norms, it includes: Seeing Through Tamayo’s Eyes by Midori Suiren explores Tamayo’s character and how Ichikawa shoots and presents her, making her a compelling lead alongside actress Yoko Shimada. Haunted House and the Rediscovery of Japan by Akihiko Ito has a wide range, looking at horror films in 70s Japan, the author’s haunted-house-esque mysteries, and how they came to this film through Ichikawa’s career.
Final Thoughts
The Inugami Family is one that struck me just right. A compelling murder mystery with fantastic characters and Ichikawa’s sense of style, it’s worth seeking out. Especially with a great transfer and so many features.