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Sci-fi drama

Before We Vanish (2018): Cast, Ratings, Box Office & Plot

Before We Vanish (2018) movie poster

Before We Vanish is a 2018 sci-fi drama directed by Kiyoshi Kurosawa, starring Masami Nagasawa as Narumi Kase, Mahiro Takasugi and Hiroki Hasegawa. It runs 2 hours 9 minutes and earned $448,829 worldwide. Critics gave it 82% on Rotten Tomatoes and 64 on Metacritic.

Rotten Tomatoes
82%
worldwide gross
$448.8K
Echo Score
65
Metascore
64
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Before We Vanish (2018) movie poster
Released
Runtime
2h 9m (129 min)
Director
Kiyoshi Kurosawa
Genres
Sci-Fi , Drama
Original language
Japanese
After the credits
No No extra scene
The story

What Is Before We Vanish About?

The premise of Before We Vanish without spoilers. The whole story is in the plot summary further down.

Three aliens take on human disguises to scout Earth, subtly draining the vitality of the people they inhabit. This unsettling process reveals a disturbing pattern and serves as a prelude to a larger invasion that threatens to fundamentally change the planet and its inhabitants. The reconnaissance mission exposes a grim reality, leaving a trail of psychological and spiritual devastation.

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Cast & crew

Before We Vanish Cast & Characters

Masami Nagasawa leads the cast as Narumi Kase, with Mahiro Takasugi as Amano and Hiroki Hasegawa as Sakurai. Directed by Kiyoshi Kurosawa; 11 actors are credited in all.

Also Starring in Before We Vanish

· 7 more
From the director

More from Kiyoshi Kurosawa

More films directed by Kiyoshi Kurosawa, best-rated first: Tokyo Sonata, The Samurai and the Prisoner, To the Ends of the Earth and Cloud.

Full filmography
Ratings

Before We Vanish Reviews & Ratings

Critics gave Before We Vanish 82% on Rotten Tomatoes and 64 on Metacritic. Our Echo Score gives it 65/100, strongest in character & emotion (75) and weakest in story & flow (50).

65 /100

Before We Vanish Echo Score Breakdown

Before We Vanish exhibits a blend of imaginative style and uneven execution. Critics highlight the director’s post-modern, atmosphere-driven approach and nimble tonal shifts, while users praise its thought-provoking concept and emotional resonance. However, many comments point to plodding pacing and awkward genre transitions that dilute narrative momentum. This synthesis suggests a film with compelling ideas and strong moments of artistry that is ultimately hindered by structural inconsistency.

Our own 0–100 rating, built from five aspects: art, character, story, the sensory experience and how well a film rewatches.

  • Art & Craft 60

    In terms of visual direction and production design, the film displays imaginative flair tempered by technical unevenness. Critics praise its post-modern, atmosphere-intensive sequences and well-timed bursts of dark humor, while users highlight a thoughtful color palette and effective framing. At the same time, ropey special effects and occasional lapses in editing disrupt immersion. Overall, the aesthetics deliver striking moments but lack consistent polish.

  • Character & Emotion 75

    When it comes to character depth and emotion, the performances provide engaging anchor points. Critics single out a nuanced portrayal by Nagasawa and note the cast’s playful chemistry in humanizing alien figures. Users commend convincing relational dynamics and evocative moments of warmth amid satire. These effective performances sustain the film’s conceptual ambitions. In summary, strong acting and character interactions consistently elevate the narrative.

  • Story & Flow 50

    The story and pacing reveal ambitious themes but suffer from uneven structure. Critics criticize frequent genre shifts, plodding exposition, and an underdeveloped connective fabric that leads to a half-baked climax. Users echo concerns about excessive length and a hokey resolution that undercuts the film’s conceptual depth. Despite intriguing ideas about identity and invasion, the narrative coherence falls short. Thus, the thematic depth is undermined by structural lapses.

  • Sensory Experience 65

    In terms of sensory experience, the film crafts a distinctive atmosphere through measured visual and aural elements. Critics applaud the use of incongruously bouncy music and effective sound design to heighten dramatic shifts, while users note a restrained color palette that supports conceptual themes. However, some find the score unmemorable and the sound design underutilized, limiting emotional impact. Overall, the film’s atmosphere is striking but its audio layers remain modest.

  • Rewatch Factor 60

    The rewatch factor hinges on the film’s conceptual intrigue despite uneven delivery. Users value its thought-provoking premise and tonal unpredictability, suggesting selective enjoyment on repeat viewings. Critics likewise acknowledge minor pleasures in stylistic flourishes that may reward familiar audiences. At the same time, slow pacing and structural inconsistencies could deter multiple viewings. In sum, the film offers intellectual rewards but its uneven flow may limit its long-term replay appeal.

Plot

Before We Vanish Plot Summary

What happens in Before We Vanish from start to finish, spoilers included, with a timeline of 15 key events. The opening is below; the full summary is a 3-minute read.

Spoilers ahead

In a shocking display of extraterrestrial disregard, Akira, an alien disguised as a schoolgirl, orchestrates a brutal family massacre before effortlessly striding down the center of a highway, accidentally instigating a devastating semi-truck collision. Simultaneously, a second alien presence has infiltrated Shinji, leading to a confusing transformation that leaves his wife, Narumi, bewildered by his sudden shift into an endearing stranger. With a desperate plea for answers, Shinji turns to Narumi, hoping to unravel the mysteries surrounding his radical metamorphosis.

Full summary

The whole story of Before We Vanish, scene by scene

Read the full summary
Box office

Before We Vanish Box Office

Before We Vanish grossed $448,829 worldwide. $52,087 came from the US and Canada and $396,742 (88%) from the rest of the world.

2018 box office

Worldwide gross

$448.8K

US & Canada
$52.1K
International
$396.7K
US & Canada 12% Rest of the world 88%
Videos

Before We Vanish Trailers & Videos

2 videos: 2 trailers.

"Before We Vanish" English-subbed Official Teaser
  • Trailer BEFORE WE VANISH [Theatrical Trailer] – In Select Theaters Starting Feb 2
Quiz

How Well Do You Know Before We Vanish?

10 questions about the story, each with a hint if you get stuck. Pick an answer to see whether you were right.

Question 1 of 10

  1. Question 1: not answered
  2. Question 2: not answered
  3. Question 3: not answered
  4. Question 4: not answered
  5. Question 5: not answered
  6. Question 6: not answered
  7. Question 7: not answered
  8. Question 8: not answered
  9. Question 9: not answered
  10. Question 10: not answered

What triggers the catastrophic truck crash in the movie?

Cars

Cars in Before We Vanish

3 cars on screen, including the 1998 Ford Explorer and the 2011 Chrysler Town & Country.

  • 1998 Ford Explorer in Before We Vanish 1998 Ford Explorer Important role
  • 2011 Chrysler Town & Country in Before We Vanish 2011 Chrysler Town & Country Minor role
  • 1992 International 4000-Series in Before We Vanish 1992 International 4000-Series Minor role
Details

Before We Vanish Also Known As

11 alternative titles, including “Sanposuru shinryakusha” and “The Strolling Invaders”.

Also known as
  • Sanposuru shinryakusha
  • The Strolling Invaders
  • 산책하는 침략자
  • 散歩する侵略者:2017
  • Avant que nous disparaissions
  • Пока мы здесь
  • 散步的侵略者
  • Antes Que Tudo Desapareça
  • Zanim znikniemy
  • 來自星兇的愛
  • Sanpo Suru Shinryakusha

Seen Before We Vanish?

FAQ

Before We Vanish FAQ: Cast, Box Office & Runtime

Runtime, release date, director, cast, box office, ratings, post-credit scenes and language of Before We Vanish, each answered in a sentence.

How long is Before We Vanish?

Before We Vanish runs 2 hours 9 minutes (129 minutes).

When was Before We Vanish released?

Before We Vanish was released on February 2, 2018.

Who directed Before We Vanish?

Before We Vanish was directed by Kiyoshi Kurosawa.

More films by Kiyoshi Kurosawa

Who is in the cast of Before We Vanish?

Before We Vanish stars Masami Nagasawa as Narumi Kase, Mahiro Takasugi as Amano and Hiroki Hasegawa as Sakurai, among 11 credited actors.

How much did Before We Vanish make at the box office?

Before We Vanish grossed $448,829 worldwide ($52,087 domestic, $396,742 international).

How is Before We Vanish rated?

Before We Vanish has 82% on Rotten Tomatoes, 64 on Metacritic, 65% on TMDB and 3.4/5 on Letterboxd.

Does Before We Vanish have a post-credit scene?

No. Before We Vanish has no extra scene during or after the credits.

What language is Before We Vanish in?

The original language of Before We Vanish is Japanese.

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