‘Bakemono’ Review
Stars: Takashi Irie, Yukina Takase, Yurika Natsume, Miki Nomura, Laila Chiba, Scott Anthony, Dominic Early, Setsuka Akiyama, Takumi Isaji, Marilyn Kawakami | Written and Directed by Doug Roos
In Tokyo, an exasperated woman wheels her suitcase to the AirBnB that she has rented. After entering the apartment, she is surprised by how creepy the location is, yet remains unaware that something lurks within the darkness. That blissful ignorance does not last long, as a loud musical sting plays while the monstrous being strikes. As highlighted by the opening credits, Bakemono is Japanese for monster, broken down by how Bake means changing/transforming, while Mono means thing/creature.
Throughout the unfolding feature, focus is shared between the different people who each momentarily stay within the rental apartment at different times. There are different reasons for their custom, including an upset man who was cheated on, a trio of friends left stranded by a last-minute cancellation at their planned hotel, and a couple who discover the other is lying to them.
What remains constant is the creature lurking in wait within the apartment. The title effectively describes this grotesque creation, appearing inverted as it feasts on negative energy before assimilating with the victims, all while utilizing its tentacles. Fantastic practical effects bring this creature alive, residing within this sole location where a lingering atmosphere is as much a part of it as the difficult to open front door, and the unappealing colour of the walls.
Owning the apartment is Mitsuo (Takashi Irie), an older married man who secretly moonlights as a serial killer, a rapist, and a satanist. Is the creature a representation of the monstrous self that lurks within this man? Perhaps, with tension effectively building throughout as the victims unknowingly wander into their doom. While tension is built across the intercutting stories, there are also moments where this is hurt by a sudden change in tones across stories. It is also noticeable how repetitive instances can become, while the moments of loud noises for jump scares can grow old.
Considering how many roles he undertook, it is no surprise that Bakemono was a passion project of Doug Roos. Not only is he the writer/director, Roos also works as producer, editor, and cinematographer, while also composing the spine-chilling score and designing the brilliant practical effects. It is heartening to see such a labour of love come alive, particularly when this gaze into humanity’s lurking darkness leaves a notable mark.
