Audition

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Audition

1999

1h 55m

Horror

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Watchlist

Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

81%

Tomatometer

81 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 When Aoyama becomes intrigued by the withdrawn, gorgeous Asami (Eihi Shiina), they begin a relationship.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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Bryce Hanson

Horror Movie Talk

It portends to be a deep and psychological film, but there really isn’t much depth in the end in my opinion. No real strong statements are made other than abuse is bad, and can have lasting effects.

Rated: 6/10

Sep 23, 2025

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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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Skky S

A perfect example that a long movie does not make a great movie. there is a great horror movie that is shot well and choreographed beautifully and its about 25 minuets long. However, it is hidden behind an hour of footage that barley moves the plot along. It is also not dubbed correctly and it is a bit jarring with how slow it is. Love the leather apron though, and the needles in the eyes made me squirm <3.

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

09/24/25

Full Review

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

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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

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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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