BEST WISHES TO ALL
A Review By Aaron Barrocas
—with one big spoiler but we’ll give you a heads up before dropping it —


Yûta Shimotsu’s “Best Wishes to All” won Scariest Film at this year’s Overlook Film Festival, and it isn’t difficult to see why. This is a true horror movie: horror on the screen as a pure mirror of the horror in the world, and specifically, in ourselves.

The movie is consistently unsettling. There are some moments of subtle levity, but overall, this is a film that would make David Lynch squirm in his seat a bit. It has something to say, and it’s going to make sure that you’re paying attention closely enough to hear that message.

This is a dark horror on both visual and psychological levels, with moments so absurd that the film plays at times more like an interpretive dance or expressive performance art than a straightforward narrative. We’re watching a nightmare, where the limits of reality cease to exist. There are scenes so odd and troubling that we almost can’t believe we are viewing them. While some moments may be dreams, hallucinations, or fragments of our hero’s imagination — more often they reflect the flexible reality of the world Shimotsu has created.

This is a story about class division. About how much is sacrificed in society for our standard of living. The question is posed- what if our happiness were based solely on somebody else’s suffering? But isn’t this already the case — and aren’t we all complicit? Eating food raised solely to be slaughtered for meat, wearing sneakers from brands known for using child labor, and repeatedly using disposable plastic despite the evidence that it’s destroying our world? Is the knowledge that our actions hurt somebody else enough to change a lifestyle that brings us joy? Probably not. When it’s for our comfort, or our health, or convenience, or even when it’s just looked upon as normal, going against established practices is difficult, and the idea that we can individually do anything to change them seems ludicrous. The important, maybe ironic, part of the movie’s title is “To All”. Because nothing can ever be good for all. In order for there to be victors, there must always be victims, and that painful truth runs underneath every frame of this movie.

Now what if — and here’s the spoiler part so if you’re some fresh eyes purist, now’s a solid time to move on to the next Without Your Head article — there’s like 20 years’ worth of them to choose from. But what if… the torture inflicted on another was very literal, and very plain to see? Not some hypothetical kids in a different country, or future generations of our citizens, but rather, just one man in a room enduring endless pain — serving as a household utility — a happiness generator — regarded similarly to a water heater or circuit breaker?

And everybody is thriving. Food tastes phenomenal. Kids are happy. There’s always enough money. Life is terrific for all — except one man who spends every moment in the worst imaginable agony. And if that man stops being tortured, your food tastes bland and your kid bleeds from the eyes.

Shunning this cruel system of sacrificing one person for the whole family’s comfort and health is seen as naive and idealistic — something that people will understand when they’re mature enough to realize how the world works.

So the question becomes how long can you resist the pressure of your entire society? In fact, the sooner you accept that you can directly benefit from the pain of others, the sooner your own path can become clearer and more prosperous.

Yûta Shimotsu creates a surreal world of thinly masked pain and suffering that is not easily forgotten. Between violent hints of body horror and what-lurks-in-the-darkness terror, is a story of sadness, love, sacrifice, and loss of innocence.

Kotone Furukawa skillfully leads a believable, even relatable cast through a white-knuckle ride of an existential horror. It is her story, and her powerful rebellion against the cruelties of life become our own. This is a movie for people who are worried about the state of humanity, but also appreciate a good eye-popping-out scene here and there.

Produced by “The Grudge” director Takashi Shimizu, years of genre-focused filmmaking are reflected constantly in this tautly told story. For the overall combination of compelling performances, sheer horror, bizarre creative swings that work, and a cutting, well-executed commentary on society, I’m giving Best Wishes to All five out of five blind eyes turned.

“Best Wishes to All” lands on Shudder on June 13th.

Aaron Barrocas is an award-winning screenwriter, filmmaker, and editor living in Los Angeles. He has spent the past 25 years as an active part of the entertainment industry.
AaronBarrocas.com