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The Third Murder

Play trailer 1:34 Poster for The Third Murder 2018 2h 5m Crime Drama Mystery & Thriller Play Trailer Watchlist
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87% Tomatometer 83 Reviews 69% Popcornmeter 250+ Ratings
Well-known attorney Shigemori takes on the defense of murder-robbery suspect Misumi, who served jail time for another murder 30 years ago. Shigemori's chances of winning the case seem low, as his client freely admits his guilt, even though he faces the death penalty if convicted. But as he digs deeper into the case, hearing the testimonies of the victim's family and Misumi himself, Shigemori begins to doubt whether his client is actually the murderer.
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The Third Murder

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Critics Consensus

The Third Murder makes satisfying work of its weighty themes, even if it doesn't quite stand with writer-director Hirokazu Koreeda's best efforts.

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Critics Reviews

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Ben Sachs Chicago Reader 01/17/2019
The film showcases Kore-eda's skillful sense of characterization and ethical inquiry, asking viewers to think long and hard about the meaning of justice. Go to Full Review
Adam Graham Detroit News 10/12/2018
C+
"The Third Murder" features a handful of compelling performances, but winds up tied in knots. Go to Full Review
Moira MacDonald Seattle Times 08/22/2018
3.5/4
Murder is endlessly fascinating, as the vast crime-fiction industry would indicate, and this one is no different. Go to Full Review
Diana Tuova Spotlight on Film 08/04/2024
4/5
The quiet beauty of the picture can...be found in the slow unveiling of the truth. Go to Full Review
Grant Watson Fiction Machine 12/28/2020
8/10
It is a slightly atypical work for Kore-eda, but in all honesty that just seems to make it more valuable. Go to Full Review
Andrew Heskins easternKicks.com 09/23/2020
4/5
Hirokazu Kore-eda sidesteps the family dramas for a powerful courtroom drama starring Masaharu Fukuyama and Koji Yakusho... Go to Full Review
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Audience Reviews

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Aluna U Sep 17 The Third Murder explores a complex murder case through the eyes of legal professionals, questioning truth, justice, and the integrity of the system. While the film offers powerful performances and strong cinematography, its slow pacing and unresolved subplots may leave viewers with lingering questions. It ultimately highlights the immense responsibility legal authorities bear, as their choices can determine life or death. Read the full review here: (Indonesian version : alunauwie.com) See more Kevin L @Lakeman Feb 9 "The Third Murder" is a quietly intense legal drama by the brilliant Hirokazu Kore-eda. Using his great skill and fitting subtlety, he's able to maneuveur his screenplay's story line to evoke the themes/ideas at work here. What are the first priorities of the legal system? Is it to ultimately serve the tenets of 'truth' and 'justice'? Is it to keep on the docket scheudle maintain one's reputation? Do empathy and compassion come into play for the lawyers? Or are they simply blank-faced figures working to win the case as it's handed to them? How much justice actually gets served with all the backroom machinations going on? It's a convoluted story. One with a defendant who changes his story more than once. Is he covering for s/one? For whom, and why? Was this a mercy killing, a grudge, or simply robbery ending in death? With appropriate pacing and deft use of images and dialogue that slowly unveils the painful and unfortunate truth(s), Kore-eda again shows why he's one of the finest writer/directors of his time. Strong performances by the leads and supporting players. Fukuyama, Hirose, and Yakusho are esp. good. Who decides who gets judged, indeed? 3.8 stars See more Mark C 10/05/2024 Captured my attention throughout, but during the last hour I had a dreading feeling that there will be no clear answer. And what do you know. One can infer and make up their own mind but I didn't love it. See more acsdoug D @acsdoug 05/21/2023 A bit ponderous, but there enough twists and turns to keep the story interesting. See more hatsuhito s 04/12/2022 真実をちゃんと確認しようとする人はいない、たとえ人が死んでいても。 司法は法ではなく人であるということ。 家族がいれば違っただろうし、お金がもっとあったら違う調査もできたかもしれない。 司法制度、環境がおかしいから、おかしな日本の社会を正そうとする人もその中で死んでいく。 See more 01/28/2021 I've seen this three times. As a reader, I appreciate a film you can read, especially in this particular genre. See more Read all reviews
The Third Murder

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Movie Info

Synopsis Well-known attorney Shigemori takes on the defense of murder-robbery suspect Misumi, who served jail time for another murder 30 years ago. Shigemori's chances of winning the case seem low, as his client freely admits his guilt, even though he faces the death penalty if convicted. But as he digs deeper into the case, hearing the testimonies of the victim's family and Misumi himself, Shigemori begins to doubt whether his client is actually the murderer.
Director
Hirokazu Koreeda
Screenwriter
Hirokazu Koreeda
Distributor
Film Movement
Production Co
Amuse Films
Genre
Crime, Drama, Mystery & Thriller
Original Language
Japanese
Release Date (Theaters)
Jul 20, 2018, Limited
Release Date (Streaming)
Nov 13, 2018
Box Office (Gross USA)
$89.3K
Runtime
2h 5m
Sound Mix
Dolby Digital
Aspect Ratio
Scope (2.35:1)
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