2011 Movie
Dir. Sion Sono · Japan · Japanese
Two tropical fish salesmen form a terribly toxic partnership in this intense slasher horror
With the difference between our day-to-day selves and our darker desires, it’s hard to say which side is the real slice of one’s identity, given that there are certain compromises we have to make in existing in society. Cold Fish takes a wildly violent and explicit approach to this, with a seemingly innocent favor spiralling into a toxic co-dependence between tropical fish sellers Yukio and Nobuyuki, and it’s a harrowing depiction of how quiet, unassuming men can be pushed into evil deeds because of passivity, whether that’s being taken advantage of, or being unwilling to speak against it. And of course, with Sion Sono at the helm, it’s painted and etched with all the gore and taboo he’s well known for.
When fish shop owner Shamoto's teenage daughter Mitsuko is caught stealing, a generous middle-aged man named Murata helps resolve the situation. The man and his wife offer to have Mitsuko work at their opposing fish store. Shamoto soon discovers that something far more sinister lives behind Murata's friendly demeanor.
When the supermarket patron Yukio Murata offers his rebellious daughter Mitsuko a job at his fish store, passive store owner Nobuyuki Shamoto and his second wife Taeko are inadvertently pulled into Yukio’s more gruesome activities.
Denden’s performance makes the film work, but after Nobuyuki snaps, Mitsuru Fukikoshi continues to carry the film with Nobuyuki’s breakdown.
Honestly, I was feeling sorry for Nobuyuki most of the film, but when he finally snapped, I can’t help but side with Mitsuko, because yeah, this guy sucks.
Venice
1 nom
Isabella Endrinal is a curator at A Good Movie to Watch. She's now free from the corporate night shift. Previous articles have been published in outlets such as NANG Magazine. She's currently catching up on some classic films… if she isn't coping with the fact that the Haikyu anime will end soon.
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