Movie Reviews: Cosmetic DNA

Rating

★★★★

Movie Digest

The plot revolves primarily around Ayaka, a student who enjoys makeup and chooses to begin a live stream to provide makeup tutorials to her viewers. One day, she catches the attention of self-described hit film director Keisuke, who then spikes her drink, brings her to a hotel, and rapes her. Ayaka is depressed and finds it difficult to trust others. Still, after meeting Satomi, a research assistant working on creating a female-to-female fertilization technique, and Yumi, an aimless clothes store assistant, she begins to enjoy life once more. However, when it appears like Yumi could be Keisuke’s next victim, the girls decide to take revenge on him and discover that human blood makes a perfect makeup element.

The Feel-Good Part

The friendship between the three protagonists feels natural and realistic, and they are all endearing people. It perfectly captures the passion of a trio, giving the twists into brutal violence and drug abuse an unexpectedly dark turn.

The Disappointing Factor

The only lesson the movie’s audience might learn is that “guys are bad.” Sadly, this world is our reality, and the film makes it quite evident that there are numerous severe issues with gender equality in our culture. This message will undoubtedly keep the movie great for some viewers while alienating the excessively sensitive.

In-Depth Analysis

The focus of the film is on the status of women in contemporary Japanese society. It discusses the mistreatment of women by men in all spheres of life, including relationships, the workplace, and online. It is harshly critical of how women are viewed as being nothing more than sex objects or as beings beneath men. It also focuses on the aimlessness of Japanese youth, as many other Japanese independent films do.

Star Power

This work is quite strong technically. The cinematography is vibrant, and the intense use of color and the dynamic camera motions make for an exhilarating viewing experience. Some interior scenes, especially those in dimly light settings like nightclubs, tend to be a little too dark. The majority of the actors and performers used by Okubo are inexperienced newcomers. The three girls receive most of the screen time, and the actresses practically behave as extensions of the three females. The actors did a great job playing their characters, and they are talented.

Overall Opinion

The audience kept enthralled by this intriguing film. It is a movie worth seeing.