Watch Carved

Carved is a Japanese horror movie from 2007, co-directed by Kōtarō Terauchi and Kôji Shiraishi. The movie is based on the legend of the traditional Japanese character Kuchisake-onna, a ghostly woman who wears a surgical face mask and asks her victims if they think she is pretty, only to reveal her disfigured, slit mouth and attack them.

The story takes place in a small Japanese town where, fifteen years ago, a man called Samajima disappeared after killing his wife and cutting off the mouth of his young daughter, Yui. Now a teenager, Yui is bullied and called 'Slit-Mouthed Woman' by her classmates. When a group of schoolgirls goes missing, the legend of the Kuchisake-onna becomes a reality, and Yui is the prime suspect. However, her former teacher Nobuko, who has always believed in Yui's innocence, sets out to uncover the truth about the disappearances and discover the real identity of the Slit-Mouthed Woman.

The movie opens with a creepy sequence in which a young girl is stalked by the Kuchisake-onna, setting the tone for the rest of the movie, which is full of suspense, jump scares, and gruesome scenes. The filmmakers make use of the traditional horror movie tropes, such as dark corridors, abandoned houses, creepy dolls, and spooky music, but they also add a touch of Japanese culture, such as the use of ghost stories and urban legends, which make Carved feel more authentic and chilling.

The acting in the movie is solid, with Eriko Sato giving a convincing performance as the tormented Yui, and Haruhiko Katō bringing depth to the role of Nobuko, who is haunted by her own past. The movie does a good job of making the audience care for these characters and rooting for them to survive. The supporting cast of schoolgirls and their parents are also well-cast and provide some comic relief, although their fates are not as fortunate.

The special effects in Carved are impressive, especially considering the low budget of the movie. The makeup and prosthetics used for the Slit-Mouthed Woman and her victims look realistic and gruesome, and the scenes of violence are gory but not gratuitous. The filmmakers also use some clever camera work and editing to create tension and build up to the scares, which are effective without being cheap.

One of the strengths of Carved is that it explores some deeper themes beyond the horror genre. The movie deals with the issue of bullying and how it affects young people's mental health, as well as the consequences of neglect and abuse. Yui's backstory is tragic and disturbing, and the movie doesn't shy away from showing the horror of what she has lived through. However, the movie also offers a message of hope and redemption, as Yui learns to confront her demons and stand up for herself, and Nobuko seeks to make amends for her past mistakes.

Overall, Carved is a well-crafted horror movie that will satisfy fans of the genre and Japanese culture enthusiasts alike. Although it may not break any new ground in terms of storytelling or scares, it is a solid addition to the canon of Japanese horror movies and a testament to the creativity and talent of its filmmakers. If you're looking for a movie to watch on a dark and stormy night, Carved may be just what you need to give you a good scare.

Carved is a 2018 horror movie with a runtime of 5 minutes.