Living a claustrophobic existence in a small town and in an abusive relationship, Sotoko has almost reached her mental limit. However, when a brooding outsider takes up an interest in her and offers an alternative, she begins to contemplate options and reassess her own value as a person under the loving gaze of the mysterious Mikiro. As the relationship develops, Sotoko's husband Atusya begins to put pressure on his wife and the young visitor in a bid to keep his wife under control.
Beyond The Night is Screening at Japan Cuts
“Beyond the Night” offers a harrowing look into an abusive relationship built on years of abuse, both mental and physical. The way the subject matter is approached shows either an understanding through experience or researching the subject to convey realism. Consequently, methods of control such as gaslighting and creating dependency is approached with the necessary sensitivity and empathy. In dealing with mental health issues, Natsuki Nakagawa shows a great degree of respect for her subjects through an honest and realistic approach. Ultimately, this highlights the best of the production to build engaging and believable dialogue, albeit in upsetting and uncomfortable in subject matter.
Unfortunately, while the dialogue between individuals acts as a notable accomplishment, the narrative overall suffers from a few poor choices. Firstly, the overall context and background of the subjects' identities is vastly underexplored, making their decisions difficult to contemplate. As a result, it is challenging to engage with the protagonists and understand the nuances in their personas, which inhibits a clear narrative and subdues the intended drama.
The second major error comes in the performances, which in this case, falls under choices from director versus fault of actors. In a frustrating manner, the performers exist in a constant malaise brought on by past trauma, seldom having strong reactions to the situation before them. Arguably, it is possible to make a feature steeped in overtly depressed character, but without the stylistic charm to pull this off, the aura around the production is of indulgent misery. When considering the previously noted fault of poor character's underdevelopment, the constant dispiriting environment becomes overbearing.
Thankfully, the production does have some redemptive qualities within its technical approach, boasting complimentary cinematography and sound design. Visually, there is a consistent and complimentary flow which feels focused on best capturing the emotional dialogues. This is complimented by a score which, although sparce, interjects itself in the right moments to create a strong unnerving atmosphere. Overall, the visual and audio presentation works harmoniously to highlight the struggle of its subjects.
“Beyond the Night” falters by creating an overtly depressing experience without much grounded justification, making for an uncomfortable experience. However, there are still some flashes' of brilliance via a strong script that reflects passion and empathy, as well as a strong visual presence. Ultimately, the production is a mediocre debut, whose strong points still point to a future talent in Natsuki Nakagawa.
