Movie Digest
Ride or Die is a Japanese film based on Ching Nakamura’s manga series “Gunjo.” Ryuichi Hiroki directed the film. The plot centers on two old friends, one of which is a lesbian who has been carrying a love for her buddy for years. Following the death of her husband by her lesbian companion, the two long-time friends connect as lovers. The plot takes surprising twists and turns, bewildering the spectator. The movie is about a friendship that becomes passionate after a homicide.
The Feel-Good Part
The story is intriguing yet beautiful. The music is significant because of the quiet scenes. The portrayal of the tragic pasts of the lead characters is exceptional. The story is compelling to watch, and the intensity increases towards the end. It unfolds strangely, piquing the viewers’ curiosity. The movie attempts to portray the difficulties of enduring domestic violence. It also tells us that it is not right to do so without fighting back. It also beautifully shows the prejudiced life of the LGBTQ+ community against reality. These two aspects are the crucial themes intended by the movie to open the viewers’ minds.
The Disappointing Factor
The narrative of the film was all over the place. The writing was shaky at best, and the execution was poor. It does not have a specific objective in mind when making it a rom-com. The director portrays the love between the protagonists harshly and devastatingly. The script’s comedy is toned down, and there is no sense of anticipation in the content. The film is uneven and frequently loses its pace. The narrative portrayed is less complex than it is. At the end of the film, the editing crew could have made it more detailed. It’s disorganized and unreal.
In-Depth Analysis
Ride or Die is a film that delves into a same-sex romance while screaming bloody murder. The theme of this Japanese Netflix film is messiness. Even though the film is a fabrication, the intense emotional passages connect the viewers. The film was an emotional journey that raised awareness about female abuse and encouraged people to be more compassionate toward same-sex relationships. It is lovely, sensuous, mysterious, and full of strong personalities. The flashbacks to the characters are beautiful portrayals, and they serve to clarify the current scenario. The principal performers did an outstanding job representing the characters. The nudity in Ride or Die has to be the most attention-getting feature. The characters are regularly shown naked, occasionally for entertainment. It’s occasionally for a sense of belonging and vulnerability, and the filmmaker recognizes that not all naked sequences are supposed to be seductive. While the film appears to be 142 minutes long, it manages to hold the audience’s interest because it is not a goal-directed love film and has hints of tension and thrill. Ride or Die has some dubious motivations, but in the end, it frees the audience from all the confusion and mayhem.
Star Power
Ride or Die’s director has done an outstanding job with casting. Kiko Mizuhara is a well-known Japanese actress who portrays Rei, a lesbian in her twenties. Mizuhara was excellent in this part, capturing the depth of her character well. Nanae plays Honami Sato, subjected to serious domestic violence by her spouse. Honami’s performance sent shivers up and down the spine of the audience.
Overall Opinion
The movie has a mixed bag of emotions. Ride or die is a perfect movie for those looking for a thriller and complicated romance.
