Children of Tokyo 2010

A tender and witty portrait of childhood woes, I Was Born, But . . . follows two spirited brothers as they navigate the challenges of schoolyard bullies, stern teachers, and the stinging reality of their father's modest social standing. With humor and heart, Ozu masterfully captures the turmoil and triumphs of growing up in this poignant and entertaining tale.

A tender and witty portrait of childhood woes, I Was Born, But . . . follows two spirited brothers as they navigate the challenges of schoolyard bullies, stern teachers, and the stinging reality of their father's modest social standing. With humor and heart, Ozu masterfully captures the turmoil and triumphs of growing up in this poignant and entertaining tale.

Does Children of Tokyo have end credit scenes?

No!

Children of Tokyo does not have end credit scenes.

Actors

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No actors found

Ratings

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Metacritic

91

Metascore

8.8

User Score

Movie Quiz

Challenge your knowledge of Children of Tokyo with an engaging quiz. Test your memory of the movie’s characters, plot twists, and unforgettable moments.


Children of Tokyo Quiz: Test your knowledge about the dark themes and events in the 2010 film 'Children of Tokyo'.

What town does the film open in?

Full Plot Summary & Ending Explained

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Get the full story of Children of Tokyo with a detailed plot summary. Dive into its themes, characters, and the twists that make it a must-watch.


The story begins in 1963 in the arid town of Gatlin, Nebraska, where a severe drought has gripped the area. In the heart of the vast cornfields, a young boy, who claims to be a prophet of an ancient deity known as “He Who Walks Behind The Rows,” gathers the local children in a tent. He delivers a chilling message that the sinful, blasphemous adults are the cause of their misery, reminiscent of the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah. The boy convinces the children that to end their suffering, they must sacrifice every adult over the age of nineteen—a horrifying demand that leads to the formation of a death cult around this belief.

Fast forward twelve years to 1975, where a couple, Burt, a Vietnam veteran played by David Anders, and his anti-war activist wife Vicky, portrayed by Kandyse McClure, are traveling a deserted road near Gatlin, eager to celebrate their second honeymoon in California. Their journey takes a dark turn when they accidentally hit a young boy named Joseph, portrayed by Ramington Jennings, who stumbles out of the corn. Upon discovering the boy’s throat has been slashed, they hurriedly wrap his body and place it in their trunk. Burt, armed with a shotgun, investigates the gruesome scene and discovers Joseph’s bloodied suitcase among the corn.

As they seek help to report the tragic incident, they are being watched by Isaac, the boy preacher played by Preston Bailey, and his loyal follower Malachai, portrayed by Daniel Newman. Reaching an abandoned gas station only to find the phones inoperable, Vicky opens Joseph’s suitcase and uncovers a tribal idol made of corn, signifying a dark connection to the cult.

In a small clearing in the cornfields, Isaac openly discusses their need to sacrifice Burt and Vicky, just as they did with Joseph, renamed “Ahaz,” who was deemed cursed for attempting to escape the cult’s grip. Upon entering town, Burt and Vicky find the eerily deserted streets and a calendar stuck on 1963. Their unsettling discovery intensifies when they find a church still engaged in dark rituals that appear to echo the cult’s malevolence.

Ignoring Vicky’s warnings, Burt scours the church and encounters strange biblical inscriptions along with a record of the townsfolk’s births and deaths. Vicky, meanwhile, is surrounded by Malachai and other boys. A violent confrontation ensues, resulting in Vicky being wounded and captured while Burt manages to fight back, leading him on a desperate escape into the unforgiving cornfields.

As night descends, the children, now emboldened by Isaac, pursue Burt with intentions of sacrificial violence. Amidst his struggles, Burt experiences a mix of trauma from his past and a surreal battle against the children. The once innocent realm of corn becomes a maze of horror as Bert faces haunting visions before unearthing the somber reality of Vicky’s fate—her lifeless body has been twisted into a scarecrow.

Ultimately, Isaac delivers messages from “He Who Walks Behind The Rows,” declaring Burt’s demise must occur, and the age requirement for sacrifice has shifted downward as punishment for their failings. After the grim events unfold, the fate of Burt becomes intertwined with a shocking conclusion that leaves him, along with Vicky, positioned as grotesque decorations on display for the sinister forces at play.

In a haunting epilogue, with a flicker of hope extinguished, Malachai leads a procession of eighteen-year-olds into the cornfields to offer themselves, showcasing the grip that this dark ideology continues to hold over the youth of Gatlin. As the cycles of darkness loom larger, one of them, Ruth, finds herself beset by a troubling vision of destruction—a stark representation of the continuous struggle against the cult’s ominous influence.

Uncover the Details: Timeline, Characters, Themes, and Beyond!

Cars Featured in Children of Tokyo

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See all cars featured in Children of Tokyo, including models, makes, roles, and their on-screen significance.


Ford

1995

Bronco

Ford

2003

Expedition

Freightliner

FLD

GMC

2003

Savana

Honda

2003

Accord

Honda

2003

Civic Hybrid

Mercury

1998

Grand Marquis

Toyota

2002

Camry

Toyota

2004

Camry Solara

Toyota

1998

Corolla

Movie Themes & Keywords

Discover the keywords that describe the themes and topics of the movie. Explore the keywords that define the essence of the film.


scene after end creditschildteenage boyteenage girlbreastsnipplesfemale frontal nuditymale frontal nudityfull frontal nuditymissionary sexmoaningyoung boyyoung girlyoung couple love scenesex ritualsex in churchpublic nudityteenagerpubic hairchurchfertilizationimpregnationpregnant teenagerpenetrationfemale topless nudityreligious cultritual sexsex in publicsex scenenudityritualsexfemale nuditymale nuditythunderstormrainy dayreference to the vietnam warbased on the works of stephen kingbased on short storycornfood in titlesmall townvietnam war veteranevil winsyear 1975animal sacrificetime jumpcar hitting pedestrianman slaps woman in the faceyear 1963

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