The horror film ‘Missing Child Videotape’ has released its trailer, poster visuals, and main cast details, confirming a release date of January 24, 2025.
This film is a feature-length adaptation of the short film of the same name directed by Ryota Kondo, which won the Grand Prize at the second Japan Horror Film Awards, a competition focusing solely on horror films held at the end of 2022. The plot revolves around a family confronted with a VHS tape containing grainy footage related to the disappearance of the younger brother.
Kondo studied under Hiroshi Takahashi, known for the Ring series, and gained attention among horror enthusiasts through his work as an assistant director on Takahashi’s projects and the Netflix series Ju-On: Origins. He also directed the first episode of TV Tokyo’s TXQ FICTION, “I’m Looking for Ishinagaki Kiku.” This film marks Kondo’s debut in commercial filmmaking, with Takashi Shimizu, a prominent figure in J-Horror, serving as the overall producer.
In addition to the previously announced lead role of Keita Kodama, portrayed by Rairin Sugita, more key cast members have been unveiled. Amon Hirai will play Tsukasa Amano, a spiritually gifted housemate who assists Keita in searching for his missing brother, Hinata. Hirai is recognized for his roles in the drama Hatsukoi Furinn and has expanded his career as an actor, model, and voice actor. The role of Mikoto Kusumi, a newspaper reporter investigating the disappearance alongside Keita and Tsukasa, will be played by Sō Morita, an emerging talent who has starred in notable films such as Sayuri, Chichinpuipui, and Tatsumi, and who received the Best New Actress Award at the 16th TAMA Film Awards. Taka Fujii will portray Tetsuya Tsukamoto, Mikoto’s boss, known for his strong presence across various projects. The film has also received comments from the cast and producer Shimizu.
[Keita Kodama Role: Rairu Sugita] When I read the script for this movie, I felt an odd discomfort—something I couldn’t quite articulate. I usually memorize scripts by humming them in my daily life. Whether I’m eating or cleaning, if something pops into my head, I just hum it. However, this script was peculiar. The discomfort kept growing, and eventually, I even felt a sense of aversion. Let me clarify, this is not a criticism of the script! (laughs) I think those who watch this work will understand best.
[Tsukasa Amano Role: Amon Hirai] I love the occult, but I have almost no spiritual sensitivity. So, when I imagined the “normal” of Tsukasa, a man who can see things, I was driven by the desire to channel director Kondo’s love for horror into this film. For me, as a first-time horror film actor, it was a series of interesting shoots filled with magical ideas. Please enjoy the unique Japanese horror that clings like mold yet is subtly understated.
[Mikoto Kusumi Role: Sō Morita] I am Sō Morita, and I played Mikoto Kusumi. The script had a tense stillness that, combined with director Kondo’s precise direction and genuinely scary filming locations, created a spine-chilling Japanese horror film. When I got to see an early screening, it was so terrifying that I covered my face for the first time in a while. At the same time, I felt grateful to be involved in a true horror film. I hope it generates buzz at its premiere at the Tokyo International Film Festival and that many people enjoy it upon release. Please look forward to it!
[Tetsuya Tsukamoto Role: Taka Fujii] It’s embarrassing, but I’ve been terrified of horror since I was a child. The script I received was deeply frightening, and as I read it, scary images popped into my head (uninvited), making it hard to get through to the end. The filming locations were dark and (uninvitedly) terrifying, which made me jumpy, but talking with Morita Sō was enjoyable and saved me. I approached my role with great caution so as not to disrupt the story. Even now, thinking back on it frightens me, but I’ve decided to watch it in theaters once it’s completed.
[Overall Production: Director Takashi Shimizu] The sound of bells echoing in the dark mountains… The shadowy figures hidden within the grainy video footage… The distortions that envelop daily life intrude upon the darkness of the psyche. And in the real world, a new talent named Ryota Kondo is encroaching as well— What am I doing? I’ve invited a rival into the realm of horror creators. Behold a film that directly challenges the true darkness and essence of J-Horror!
The newly released poster visual features the back of a child wearing a blue raincoat walking into the depths of a dark mountain, thick with trees. Accompanying this image is the tagline, “Let’s play hide and seek,” which hints at the unsettling developments to come. The eerie VHS-quality footage and the suspenseful sound of bells in the newly unveiled teaser evoke a sense of dread. The teaser also captures elements of the story, including keywords like “the mountain where people disappear,” “an unreachable ruin,” and “not found on any map.”
Official Website:https://mcv-movie.jp Official X: @mcv_movie Official TikTok: @missing_child_videotape
Theatrical Release: January 24, 2025
[Story] “There are things on that videotape that shouldn’t be there…” Keita has a past marked by the disappearance of his younger brother, with whom he went out long ago. Now, he continues to volunteer in search of missing persons. One day, he suddenly receives an old videotape from his mother. It captures the moment his brother, Hinata, disappears. His housemate, Tsukasa, who possesses spiritual sensitivity, senses a sinister atmosphere from the tape and warns Keita not to delve too deeply. However, Keita begins to pursue the disturbing past that has haunted him. Accompanying him is Mikoto, a journalist who has been following his story, as the three head toward the “mountain” where Hinata vanished…
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