Kumiko, the Treasure Hunter

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Kumiko, the Treasure Hunter

2015

1h 45m

Drama

Adventure

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Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

88%

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135 Reviews

64%

Popcornmeter

5,000+ Ratings

Frustrated with her mundane life, a Tokyo office worker (Rinko Kikuchi) becomes obsessed with a fictional movie that she mistakes for a documentary. Fixating on a scene where stolen cash is buried in North Dakota, she travels to America to find it.

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Critics Consensus

Powerfully acted and lovely to look at, Kumiko, the Treasure Hunter offers a treat for cinephiles with a taste for the pleasantly peculiar.

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Candice Frederick

Reel Talk Online

09/01/2017

B+

The film isn't polished, perhaps on purpose, but it's endearing, special even.

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Patrick Z. McGavin

Chicago Sun-Times

12/15/2015

3/4

The entrancing fifth feature of the Zellner brothers, Kumiko the Treasure Hunter, is like found art in the beguiling, haunting manner it combines the seemingly ridiculous and desperate with an ineffable and quiet sadness.

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Emily St. James

Vox

12/15/2015

4/5

If there's one thing Kumiko the Treasure Hunter proves beyond the shadow of a doubt, it's that Rinko Kikuchi is a movie star in the making.

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Diego Batlle

Otroscines.com

11/02/2022

3.5/5

Hallucinating and climatic, absurd and sensible, Goliath's creators tell the story of a Japanese antihero vagabonding through invernal passages on her way to North Dakota. [Full review in Spanish]

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Q.V. Hough

Vague Visages

06/30/2022

"Heart-warming and often hilarious, 'Kumiko the Treasure Hunter' reminds that individuality may take one a long way given the right conditions. Chase your treasures with confidence and be prepared."

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Michael J. Casey

Michael J. Cinema

09/28/2021

4.5/5

The Zellner Brothers write, produce, and direct (and act a little) Kumiko with such a steady hand that it never slips into total fact or total fiction.

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Gregg B

@Greggg 5d

This is a slow build with a disappointing finish. There are a couple of endearing moments but it just doesn’t make up for the quiet pointless waste of time. And it doesn’t matter who made it or what they’ve done before this move doesn’t live up to the critics accolades.

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John V.

@xvfxdude Mar 3

NOT a comedy. Depressing without direction.

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Anthony F

@Anthony999 Feb 17

You maybe expecting a comedy, satire, or homage to Fargo, but "Kumiko.." is none of those things. It flirts with tragedy and emotional disturbance, but in the end is really about how our obsessions and fantasies can break the boundaries of an unhappy, unfulfilled life. The film works so well thanks to the empathetic performance of Rinko Kikuchi. She carries the movie from the first moment to the final fantastical finale. I highly recommend this film for the more open-minded adventurous filmgoer.

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Ry N

@RyGuy Jan 20

A woman in Japan watches Fargo and thinks it's a treasure map. This urban legend is drawn out with very little plot and an "oh there it is" roll credits ending.

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matthias s

@Thescreenasvor 01/15/2024

"Kumiko, The Treasure Hunter" leaves much to be desired, earning a lackluster two stars from this viewer. Despite a really good plot foundation, the film falls short in execution. The main actress fails to evoke empathy, leaving the audience disconnected from her journey. Expectations build throughout, only to be met with a disappointingly predictable ending. The film's pacing is hindered by a bland and boring first act, making it tempting to skip ahead. While the concept is undoubtedly great, it becomes clear that a great idea alone doesn't carry a film. The visuals are appealing, and everything looks great, but the lack of emotional engagement and the predictable narrative prevent this potential gem from shining. In the end, "Kumiko" offers a promising premise that unfortunately fails to deliver a truly captivating cinematic experience.

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@RT70835685 07/23/2023

B. I'm not sure it would have made as much sense if i hadnt watched the original movie Fargo. A woman following her own path in life is something thats not explored much/done well in films which made it really great to see Kumiko do.

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David Zellner

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Synopsis

Frustrated with her mundane life, a Tokyo office worker (Rinko Kikuchi) becomes obsessed with a fictional movie that she mistakes for a documentary. Fixating on a scene where stolen cash is buried in North Dakota, she travels to America to find it.

Director: David Zellner
Producer: Nathan Zellner, Cameron Lamb, Chris Ohlson, Andrew Banks, Jim Burke
Screenwriter: David Zellner, Nathan Zellner
Distributor: Amplify
Production Co: Ad Hominem Enterprises, Lila 9th Productions
Genre: Drama, Adventure
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Mar 20, 2015, Limited
Rerelease Date (Theaters): Mar 22, 2024
Release Date (Streaming): Aug 10, 2016
Box Office (Gross USA): $621.1K
Runtime: 1h 45m
Aspect Ratio: Scope (2.35:1)

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