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Audition

Play trailer Poster for Audition 1999 1h 55m Horror Play Trailer Watchlist
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82% Tomatometer 79 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 When Aoyama becomes intrigued by the withdrawn, gorgeous Asami (Eihi Shiina), they begin a relationship.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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Audition

Audition

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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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Critics Reviews

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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 Full Review Peter Bradshaw Guardian A stomach-turning masterpiece. Rated: 5/5 Dec 10, 2015 Full Review 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 Full Review 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 Full Review 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 Sean Axmaker Stream on Demand What begins as a gentle romance based on a lie turns into a disturbed and disturbing psycho-horror nightmare that rockets into the Twilight Zone of obsession, sadism, and mutilation. Oct 29, 2022 Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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Alejandra C slow burn but dang its good. Rated 4 out of 5 stars 09/05/25 Full Review 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 Craig H A bold and dark yet beautiful movie. First 3/4 are like a optimistic romance movie about a middle aged man ignoring a bunch of red flags in the name of being smitten for this damaged woman, and ignores all those very red flags until its too late. Enjoyed the lighter part of the film than the darker to be honest. The end was very anticlimactic and not as brutal as people make out yeah its dark and you feel for the guy but a few pins and a severed foot isn't that shocking. Overall solid and well made but slightly underdelivered for me Rated 3 out of 5 stars 08/09/25 Full Review Audience Member I didn't really like all of the back and forth sequences at the end, with the main guy going into a dream, out of a dream, etc. However, overall I thought the film had a good level of creepy in it that kept me interested. The main female character is very beautiful yet deadly and torturous (and was happy/giddy about it, which made it even darker). What an interesting premise and execution! Rated 3 out of 5 stars 08/04/25 Full Review Craig W. Good movie, definitely not for the faint of heart. There is for sure one scene that will stick with you for a bit. Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars 07/15/25 Full Review Read all reviews
Audition

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Cast & Crew

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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

Shibata
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Audition

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Movie Info

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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