Midnight

HOLLYSHORTS FILM FESTIVAL 2024 REVIEW! The legendary Takashi Miike directs Midnight. The 18-minute short is an adaptation of Osamu Tezuka’s manga written by Yûsuke Watanabe. Gang members are chasing Kaede (Konatsu Kato). These thugs wish to extort Kaede over her recently passed father’s business, which she inherited. Midnight (Kento Katu), a taxi driver with a lot of skills, comes to Kaede’s rescue. The two punch, kick, drive, and run their way through the night. Will Kaede and Midnight find freedom or the taste of cold steel?

The film was shot in secret on the director’s iPhone 15Pro, a fact that would surprise many. The quality of the shots is so high that it’s hard to believe they were captured on a phone. Each frame is a work of art, with the neon lighting setting the perfect mood. The action sequences, too, are masterfully filmed, with every punch and fall looking and feeling painfully real.

“The two punch, kick, drive, and run their way through the night.”

Naoichirô Sagara edits Midnight in a style that can be described as a violent ballet, a unique approach that adds an ethereal quality to the film. As Kaede and Midnight run for their lives, the scene transitions effectively convey their desperation and exhaustion. The character geography during the combat is always clear. Plus, there’s a playful humor that runs through the entire film, adding an unexpected element of fun. Keep an eye out for Brother, a puppet who adds another layer of intrigue to the story.

Kato and Katu are splendid. She feels meek yet determined. He’s badass in every sense of the word. Their chemistry is as hot as the engine of the taxi Midnight drives. The goons are excellent at fisticuffs and have solid comedic timing as well.

Midnight is another feather of pure awesome in Miike’s cap that’s all awesome feathers. The action rules. The actors are great. The cinematography is sumptuous and moody. This is as perfect as any film, short or feature, gets.

Midnight screened at the 2024 Hollyshorts Film Festival.