Would you drive a blade into your closest friend? Spanning three decades, a dark, twisted bond unfolds between Tajima and his childhood friend Kuramochi. Kuramochi repeatedly rescues Tajima from ruin, yet seems secretly responsible for sabotaging his life. As Tajima’s suspicion and murderous intent fester over years of humiliation, he edges dangerously close to crossing the line into irreversible violence. Adapted from the bestselling novel by Higashino Keigo, director Kanai Ko delivers an exceptionally gloomy and chilling psychological thriller. The film expertly transforms humanity’s sinister side into a visual maze, where slow-burning resentment and cowardice prove far more terrifying than a fleeting impulse to kill. Central to its haunting power is the intense acting duel between Yamazaki Kento, exuding a deceptive charm masking sinister cunning, and Matsushita Kouhei, portraying a man unraveling under constant betrayal. Tense and unrelenting until its final frame, The Gate of Murder is a compelling thriller and a dark exploration of toxic ‘friendship’.
Born in Tokyo. Kanai joined Fuji Television Network, Inc. in 2006 and has directed numerous acclaimed television dramas, including Galileo 2 (2013), HERO (2014), Nobunaga Concerto (2014), Good Doctor (2018), The Confidence Man JP (2018), and Life′s Punchline (2021). The Gate of Murder, based on the novel of the same name by Keigo Higashino, marks his feature film directorial debut.
From Busan International Film Festival 2026, No. 31
