Cloud review: Kurosawa masterfully builds suspense while maintaining the story’s momentum

In this review, cinetasticc aka Yash, dwells on his thoughts on Kiyoshi Kurosawa's film Cloud, which premiered at the MAMI Mumbai Film Festival this year.

Kiyoshi Kurosawa is well known for his psychological horrors, like Cure (1997) and Pulse (2001). The last film I watched of his was Tokyo Sonata (2008), which, despite being a family drama, is often humorously cited as another psychological horror due to its unsettling domestic themes. Kurosawa has a knack for genre transitions, and with Cloud, he keeps us on the edge of our seats while delving into a more fanatical exploration of his characters' darker traits.

The film focuses on Ryosuke Yoshi, an internet scammer who prioritizes his impulsive instincts over a promotion at work. Early on, as he buys a truckload of therapeutic machines, a woman warns him, “following your instincts and impulses is a bad idea.” Ignoring her, he turns down a raise, quits his job, and dedicates all his time to running his scam store. Despite his criminal tendencies, Ryosuke is surprisingly a likeable character. His appeal stems from his fear and paranoia—he thinks he’s in control but his own greed actually rules him. As the story unfolds, he emerges as the most rational character, even though he spirals more profoundly into the psychological hell created by his misguided instincts.

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The film begins with Kurosawa’s signature simmering suspense, instilling terror in both the audience and the protagonist. However, as the tension eases, the film takes a thrilling turn, drawing inspiration from vintage Westerns. The portrayal of violence feels classic, reminiscent of Western shootouts, particularly The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly (1966). It doesn’t replicate the Western genre but evokes a sense of nostalgia through its style and pacing.

Cinematographically, the film is mostly shot in isolated locations, allowing flexibility in its setting. The first half is primarily situated in the city before transitioning to a more open, wooded area. The camera remains still and controlled in the first half, reflecting the oppressive weight of Ryosuke’s life but in the second half, the movement becomes more dynamic. The rapid cuts never feel distracting, raising the question of whether the simplicity was intentional or just subtle craftsmanship. Kurosawa masterfully builds suspense while maintaining the story’s momentum. Three scenes in particular feel like warnings, both to the character and the audience, before everything goes haywire. There are no dull moments, and even the film’s slower pacing keeps you hooked, constantly wondering, “Where is this going?”

The technical team steps out of their box for the climactic scene, where blood-red clouds loom overhead, symbolizing the hellish fate awaiting Ryosuke. This striking visual signals his descent into the chaos he’s created. As the blood-red clouds dominate the film’s final shot, Kurosawa leaves us with a haunting image of a man trapped by his own choices. Cloud may not be as traditionally frightening as Cure, but it reveals a darker truth: sometimes, the greatest terror doesn’t come from the supernatural but from the inescapable consequences of our own flawed nature!

Cloud had its Indian premiere at the MAMI Mumbai Film Festival this year! 

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