Cure is a Japanese horror thriller film from 1997. It tells the story of an unusual case regarding several murders. The only thing that connects the victims is an X that has been carved into their neck. In each respective murder, the killer is found close-by shortly after locating the dead victim. None of the killers can provide an explanation to their action, and their motives are unclear. The protagonist of the story, Detective Takabe, is trying to find a connection between the murders, but in the meantime, has to deal with his personal life and his mentally ill wife. Once he discovers more about the case, the movie goes to unexpected territory and becomes severely more frightening.

Kiyoshi Kurosawa was able to make a very dark and bitter atmosphere, which makes the audience simultaneously engaged and uneasy. The cinematography, lighting, and sound design go well with the horrific story and tone of the film.

Cure was made in the same era as Japanese horror films such as Ringu and The Grudge, and despite not having the same recognition, is undoubtedly among the same class of movies. The fear that is projected from the film isn’t what we’d generally expect from a horror film, and it mostly focuses on the psychological and social ascpects of this genre, and it creates many questions around the human mind, and society in general.

At first Cure starts off like any other murder mystery crime tale, but it gradually turns into a psychological horror, and it’s engaging and fascinating for fans of either of these genres, and shows Kurosawa’s undeniable talent in this medium.