High on creep, Exit 8 is more of an exploration of psychological and emotional stressors, but doesn’t shy away from frights.
While not as scary as initially believed, Exit 8 feels like a game. It combines discomfort with dread and frustration—common emotional landscapes that come with playing horror games. The special effects lack the seamless quality of other productions. But it thankfully keeps said effects to a minimum. Still, the movie manages to be wildly entertaining with loads of mystery despite this flaw. Its minimal cast shines. It’s a delight to see horror that demonstrates how atmosphere and a small cast can still deliver nail-biting tension. High on creep, Exit 8 is more of an exploration of psychological and emotional stressors, but doesn’t shy away from frights.
Directed by Genki Kawamura (A Hundred Flowers) with a screenplay by Kawamura, Kentaro Hirase (A Hundred Flowers, Miyamatsu to Yamashita), and Kotake Create, who created the eponymous 2023 game. It’s a simple concept of a lost man, played by Kazunari Ninomiya (Oshi No Ko: The Final Act, Fragments of the Last Will) trapped in a subway station loop, forced to complete a kind of game to escape. The film is a blend of 1408 and As Above, So Below but leans into the psychological toll. But it also doesn’t need to do much else. The concept is terrifying and anxiety-inducing enough.
Exit 8 Is the Terror of the Endless Unknown
Aside from the above-mentioned movies, the film brings to mind another one for a specific scene is Ju-On: The Grudge 2. One of the most terrifying things—at least to me—is a repeating loop. The sequel to the Japanese horror gem, Ju-On: The Grudge, captured that fear. One of the characters was in a there-and-back horror loop in the deadly house. It’s the type where you’re hard pressed not to fall to the ground, holding your head as you let out shriek after shriek in defeat.
Exit 8 is the second film I’ve seen that portrays that creeping terror well. Plus, it’s even worse because it teases a hope—the possibility of escaping the never-ending repeating levels. Spot whether there are anomalies and progress to reach level 8 to escape. But not all the anomalies are obvious to the eye. If you misjudge a level, the counter resets. These styles of games are terrifying, thanks to imagining oneself in the scenario. So, seeing it come alive in movie format is chilling.
Unbelievable Effects
Sadly, this is not the positive “it’s so good it’s unbelievable” special effects. Rather, it’s the “the effects are so bad I know the threat is not there,” type of effects. So, while one particular creature gave some John Carpenter’s The Thing, it lacked the practical effects that made that film so memorable. Thankfully, Exit 8 keeps the focus where it should be—on the characters and the suspense. The dread lies in what level number awaits as they turn that corner.
Minimal Cast Keeps It Nerve-Racking
Kazunari Ninomiya delivers the shock and stress, traversing each level in fear and hope. The Walking Man, played by Yamato Kochi (Dream Stage, Vivant), is terrifying with the seemingly permanent smile etched on his face. Not to mention he maintains a brisk pace each time Ninomiya encounters him. Adding a layer of fragility is the boy in the station, played by Naru Asanuma (Oshi No Satsujin, The Night After We Divorce). Each performance either adds to the stress or the fear of what’s on the next level. Plus, the question of whether escape is possible never departs the mind.
Exit 8 has surprises, a dash of fun, and a lot of game-like terror. The opening direction leans into that game aspect, tipping an entertaining hat to the audience as it ensures we connect to the lead character. The freakish mystery is exciting, creepy, tense, and fun. Despite shoddy effects derailing tension, Exit 8 remains an uncomfortable, odd flick, making it one of the better video game adaptations to come out, relying on the sterile, tiled visuals of the station on repeat to amplify the fear.
