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Poster for Empire of Passion

Empire of Passion

Seen it?

1978 | 105 min | Drama, Romance, Horror

Sunday Safe Betearly rating

Why it’s a Sunday Safe Bet

It earned strong reviews (80% on Rotten Tomatoes), though it had little lasting buzz. A safe bet when you want something reliable.

Based on critics, audiences, awards, box office and buzz. Details below.

Is it for you?

Who'll love it
Made for romantics and horror fans. If you loved Crimson Peak or Frankenstein, start here. Critics rate it higher than audiences do, so it rewards patience more than it chases thrills.
The mood
Scary, warm and romantic.
The pace
Takes its time with its characters, at 1 hr 45 min.
What might put you off
  • Rated R: expect violence and sex.
  • It's in Japanese, so expect subtitles (or a dub).
  • Made in 1978: an older pace and style.

A married woman and her lover murder her husband and dump his body into a well, but his ghost returns to haunt them as the local gossip intensifies.

How it earned its rating

  • CriticsStrong

    80% on Rotten Tomatoes

  • AudiencesSolid

    6.8 out of 10

  • AwardsWeak

    0 wins and 1 nomination from smaller awards and festivals

  • Reach & staying powerSolid

    Streaming release that reached a small audience so far; still draws a steady audience long after release

  • Buzz & cultural impactBelow par

    About 16K people sought it out in the past year

Trailer

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Cast & crew

Directed by Nagisa Ōshima

  • Takahiro TamuraGisaburo
  • Kazuko YoshiyukiSeki
  • Tatsuya FujiToyoji
  • Takuzō KawataniInspector Hotta
  • Akiko KoyamaYoung Master's Mother
  • Taiji TonoyamaToichiro
  • Kenzō KawarasakiYoung Master
  • Sumie SasakiOdame
  • Eizō Kitamura
  • Takaaki Sugiura