Scarlet

There are so many different forms of entertainment out there to choose from. Maybe for you it’s reading books, or maybe—like me—you’re all about movies. But no matter what you love, even within those passions there are blind spots. Things you just don’t quite connect with, or genres you’ve never really vibed with.

For me, that blind spot has always been anime. To vibe or not to vibe with anime—that has long been the question. I’ve never fully gotten into it, and while there are a few things I’ve enjoyed here and there, for the most part it’s remained a big unknown. Because of that, I honestly didn’t know much about Mamoru Hosoda. Even though I’d seen Mirai and Belle, the rest of his work had completely eluded me. Still, that didn’t stop me from seeking out his newest film, Scarlet—and I’m really glad it didn’t.

The story begins in Denmark, where a King (Masachika Ichimura) lives a peaceful life with his daughter, Princess Scarlet (Mana Ashida). Their world is turned upside down when the King’s brother, Claudius (Kôji Yakusho), sets his sights on the throne and has his own brother executed to seize power. Consumed by grief and rage, Scarlet vows revenge and begins training to become a fierce warrior. Before she can carry out her plan, however, Claudius poisons her, and she awakens in the underworld.

Even death isn’t enough to stop her. Determined as ever, Scarlet pushes forward, meeting various souls along the way. One in particular stands out: Hijiri (Masaki Okada), a modern-day paramedic who doesn’t believe he’s dead. He joins Scarlet on her difficult journey back to the living world. As they face one challenge after another, Scarlet is ready to fight her way through anything, while Hijiri searches for peace and common ground. Watching the two of them approach the same obstacles in completely different ways—and slowly learn from each other—is one of the film’s most fascinating elements.

Written by Todd Haberkorn and Hosoda, Scarlet is essentially a retelling of Hamlet—at least in its bones. It doesn’t follow that path beat for beat, and it’s that willingness to diverge that allows the film to shine brightest. The story plunges into a dreamlike, fantasy-filled hellscape, where Hosoda becomes bold with his ideas. Those ideas are paired with dazzling visuals and an astonishing attention to detail. For all its wonders, though, the film isn’t without its flaws.

First and foremost, Scarlet is a monumental artistic achievement, overflowing with imagination. Where it stumbles is in its relatively simple narrative. The film leans heavily on themes of forgiveness and morality, sometimes repeating them instead of digging deeper into more complex philosophical territory. As a result, while Scarlet will absolutely wow you visually, it doesn’t always challenge you intellectually in the same way.

The pacing is mostly solid, though there are a few rough patches in the middle. Still, the film ultimately finds its footing and wins you over by the end, largely thanks to its hopeful tone. Scarlet is a true spectacle—visually powerful and emotionally sincere. While it never quite reaches the lofty heights it seems to be aiming for, it’s still a rewarding experience and well worth your time.