Audition

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Audition

1999

1h 55m

Horror

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Watchlist

Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

83%

Tomatometer

80 Reviews

80%

Popcornmeter

50,000+ Ratings

This disturbing Japanese thriller follows Aoyama (Ryo Ishibashi), a widower who decides to start dating again. Aided by a film-producer friend (Miyuki Matsuda), Aoyama uses auditions for a fake production to function as a dating service. When Aoyama becomes intrigued by the withdrawn, gorgeous Asami (Eihi Shiina), they begin a relationship. However, he begins to realize that Asami isn't as reserved as she appears to be, leading to gradually increased tension and a harrowing climax.

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Critics Consensus

An audacious, unsettling Japanese horror film from director Takashi Miike, Audition entertains as both a grisly shocker and a psychological drama.

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Chuck Bowen

Slant Magazine

The film is a brutal examination of social isolation and malaise, and the gulf that often exists between men and women.

Rated: 4/4

Jul 1, 2019

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Peter Bradshaw

Guardian

A stomach-turning masterpiece.

Rated: 5/5

Dec 10, 2015

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Jim Sullivan

Boston Globe

This movie, at just under two hours, is a long crawl from inception to climax.

Rated: 2/4

Nov 30, 2001

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Patrick Cavanaugh

The Wolfman Cometh

A chilling enough depiction of human desperation before any of the extreme terror fully kicks off.

Rated: 4/5

Sep 12, 2025

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Stephanie Archer

Film Inquiry

Audition is a slow burner of a horror, an almost perfect example of a frog in boiling water.

Nov 2, 2023

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Carolyn Hinds

JoySauce.com

A film I’ve seen once and I’m not sure I’ll ever see again because it’s so effectively disturbing, which is exactly what you want with a horror film. I’ve never looked at piano wire the same way again.

Nov 9, 2022

Full Review

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Aiden A.

ONE OF GREATEST MOVIES EVER I SEEN!!!

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

09/12/25

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Aiden A.

BEST MOVIES EVER I SEEN!!!

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

09/12/25

Full Review

Zeferino P.

It took a while to get started but was worth it It was never boring during the first half It made me cringe when it reached its peak I throughly enjoyed watching this

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

09/12/25

Full Review

Alejandra C

slow burn but dang its good.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

09/05/25

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Kyle C

Audition: 4.5/5 A slow burn with a big payoff. Eihi Shiina (Asami) is unsettlingly effective—creepy in a way that’s hard to pin down. The film digs into how trauma can manifest unpredictably, blurring the line between victim and perpetrator. The final act plays almost like a dream sequence, leaving you unsure of what’s real, with symbolism that’s both strong and disturbing. It all builds to a satisfyingly terrifying conclusion. Don’t watch if you’re squeamish about needles.

Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars

09/01/25

Full Review

Kenneth L

I am not sure what to make of this film. It was well-made and definitely had my attention. But, when it was over, I was not sure what I had just watched.

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

08/21/25

Full Review

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Takashi Miike

Director

Ryo Ishibashi

Shigeharu Aoyama

Eihi Shiina

Asami Yamazaki

Jun Kunimura

Yasuhisa Yoshikawa

Miyuki Matsuda

Ryoko Aoyama

Ren Ôsugi

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Synopsis

This disturbing Japanese thriller follows Aoyama (Ryo Ishibashi), a widower who decides to start dating again. Aided by a film-producer friend (Miyuki Matsuda), Aoyama uses auditions for a fake production to function as a dating service. When Aoyama becomes intrigued by the withdrawn, gorgeous Asami (Eihi Shiina), they begin a relationship. However, he begins to realize that Asami isn't as reserved as she appears to be, leading to gradually increased tension and a harrowing climax.

Director: Takashi Miike
Producer: Satoshi Fukushima, Akemi Suyama
Screenwriter: Daisuke Tengan, Ryu Murakami
Production Co: Omega Project
Genre: Horror
Original Language: Japanese
Release Date (Streaming): Feb 19, 2015
Box Office (Gross USA): $110.8K
Runtime: 1h 55m
Aspect Ratio: Flat (1.85:1)

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