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Perfect Days (2023): Cast, Ratings, Box Office & Ending

Perfect Days (2023) movie poster

Perfect Days is a 2023 drama directed by Wim Wenders, starring Kôji Yakusho as Hirayama, Aoi Yamada and Tokio Emoto. It runs 2 hours 3 minutes and earned $28 million worldwide on a $14 million budget. It was nominated for 1 Oscar. Critics gave it 96% on Rotten Tomatoes and 80 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 7.9/10.

IMDb rating
7.9/10
Rotten Tomatoes
96%
worldwide gross
$28M
award nominations
2
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Perfect Days (2023) movie poster
Released
Runtime
2h 3m (123 min)
Director
Wim Wenders
Genre
Drama
Original language
Japanese
Budget
$14M
After the credits
No No extra scene
The story

What Is Perfect Days About?

The premise of Perfect Days without spoilers. The whole story and the ending explained are in the plot summary further down.

Hirayama finds solace and purpose in his quiet life as a cleaner in Tokyo. His meticulous routine, filled with beloved books, music, and photography, is unexpectedly altered by new connections and unexpected events. Through these encounters, he begins to appreciate the subtle beauty of everyday moments and discovers a deeper understanding of himself and the world around him. It’s a gentle exploration of happiness found in simplicity.

Perfect Days Themes & Keywords

· 50 tags
  • tokyo japan
  • toilet
  • bicycle
  • work
  • janitor
  • cassette tape
  • toilet cleaner
  • restaurant
  • tic tac toe
  • very little dialogue
  • public toilet
  • uncle niece relationship
+38 more
  • bachelor
  • photograph
  • japan
  • architecture
  • male nudity
  • job
  • tree
  • public park
  • audio cassette
  • cleaning toilet
  • toilet cleaning
  • cleaning a toilet bowl
  • cleaning
  • little boy
  • niece
  • playing tic tac toe
  • cancer
  • blurred boundaries
  • interinspiration
  • design
  • vending machine
  • coworker relationship
  • brother sister relationship
  • slice of life
  • public bath
  • living alone
  • estranged siblings
  • simple life
  • cleaner
  • life
  • two word title
  • family conflict
  • family relationships
  • playground
  • metaphoric title
  • waking up
  • listening to music
  • camera
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Cast & crew

Perfect Days Cast & Characters

Kôji Yakusho leads the cast as Hirayama, with Aoi Yamada as Aya and Tokio Emoto as Takashi. Directed by Wim Wenders; 8 actors are credited in all.

Also Starring in Perfect Days

· 4 more
From the director

More from Wim Wenders

More films directed by Wim Wenders, best-rated first: Anselm, The Salt of the Earth, Paris, Texas and Alice in the Cities.

Full filmography
Ratings

Perfect Days Reviews & Ratings

Critics gave Perfect Days 96% on Rotten Tomatoes and 80 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 7.9/10. Our Echo Score gives it 80/100, strongest in art & craft (90) and weakest in rewatch factor (70).

80 /100

Perfect Days Echo Score Breakdown

Perfect Days offers a thoughtful exploration of everyday existence through disciplined minimalism and attentive pacing. The film’s refined direction and photography consistently capture the texture of Tokyo life, while Koji Yakusho’s restrained performance enriches the emotional core. Although its episodic flow and sparse narrative may test some viewers’ patience, the serene tone and consistent thematic resonance establish a memorable meditation on appreciation. The result is a quietly resonant work that sustains its contemplative impact.

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

  • Art & Craft 90

    In terms of art and craft, Perfect Days excels in its precise visual composition and deliberate editing. The cinematography frequently lingers on everyday textures, from swaying branches to atmospheric night sequences rendered in black and white. Production design remains unobtrusive yet thoughtfully detailed, reflecting the protagonist’s perspective in each frame. This consistent visual harmony highlights the film’s refined aesthetic approach.

  • Character & Emotion 85

    When it comes to character and emotion, Perfect Days relies on a subtly drawn central performance to sustain its emotional resonance. Koji Yakusho’s portrayal communicates depth through restrained gestures and thoughtful glances. Supporting interactions remain modest but genuine, illustrating quiet compassion and human connection. The result is a nuanced emotional core that anchors the film’s contemplative tone.

  • Story & Flow 70

    When considering story and flow, Perfect Days adopts an episodic structure that emphasizes reflective moments over conventional narrative momentum. The pacing is measured, allowing for thematic meditation, though some viewers may find the repetitions testing. Plot developments arrive subtly through brief encounters, lending originality at the expense of dramatic tension. Overall, the narrative coheres as a gentle exploration rather than a driving plot.

  • Sensory Experience 75

    In terms of sensory experience, Perfect Days emphasizes understated audio and visual coherence. Ambient soundscapes and period cassette selections underscore the protagonist’s routine without overwhelming the narrative. Sound design remains subtle, drawing attention to everyday presence. Visually, the film’s palette and textural contrasts create a cohesive atmosphere. This restraint fosters immersive simplicity rather than spectacle.

  • Rewatch Factor 70

    When it comes to rewatch factor, Perfect Days offers a deliberately paced experience that rewards attentive viewing. Its focus on quotidian detail and thematic consistency encourages reflection more than repeat entertainment. Some may revisit for its visual motifs and serene tone, while others may find the minimal drama less conducive to multiple viewings. Overall, it provides thoughtful but selective replay value.

Plot

Perfect Days Plot Summary & Ending Explained

What happens in Perfect Days from start to finish, spoilers included, with a timeline of 15 key events and the ending explained. The opening is below; the full summary is a 4-minute read.

Spoilers ahead

In the bustling Shibuya ward of Tokyo, Hirayama diligently serves as a public toilet cleaner, showcasing an unwavering commitment to his work that highlights his meticulous nature. His home, situated across the Sumida River, feels worlds apart from the vibrant district he tends to daily. Rising with the dawn, Hirayama embarks on a structured routine that includes indulging in his love for music cassettes while commuting in his van. His literary tastes lean towards the works of noted authors like William Faulkner and Patricia Highsmith, alongside philosophical essays by Aya Kōda, providing him solace through their profound insights. As twilight descends, Hirayama’s dreams unfold like impressionistic images, hinting at the depth of his inner struggles.

Full summary

The whole story of Perfect Days, scene by scene, with the ending explained

Read the full summary
Box office

Perfect Days Box Office & Budget

Perfect Days grossed $28 million worldwide on a $14 million budget, 2.0 times what it cost. $3.8 million came from the US and Canada and $24.2 million (87%) from the rest of the world.

2023 box office

Worldwide gross

$28M

2.0× its budget

US & Canada
$3.8M
International
$24.2M
Budget
$14M
US & Canada 13% Rest of the world 87%
Awards

Perfect Days Awards & Nominations

Perfect Days was nominated for 1 Oscar. The 2 nominations come from 2 ceremonies.

2 nominations2 ceremonies

Videos

Perfect Days Trailers & Videos

9 videos: 3 trailers, 2 clips and 4 featurettes.

All 9 videos
Trailer [Subtitled]
  • Trailer Official US Trailer [Subtitled]
  • Trailer Official International Trailer [Subtitled]
  • Clip Official Clip
  • Clip Official Clip - Next Time Is Next Time. Now Is Now. [Subtitled]
Quiz

How Well Do You Know Perfect Days?

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 is Hirayama's profession?

Details

Perfect Days Also Known As

23 alternative titles, including “我的完美日常” and “Dias Perfeitos”.

Also known as
  • 我的完美日常
  • Dias Perfeitos
  • Täiuslikud päevad
  • 完美的日子
  • 퍼펙트 데이즈
  • Dokonalé dny
  • ימים מושלמים
  • 新活日常
  • Ідеальні дні
  • روزهای عالی
  • Popolni dnevi
  • หยุดโลกเหงาไว้ตรงนี้
+11 more
  • Идеальные дни
  • Tökéletes napok
  • Υπέροχες Μέρες
  • Días Perfectos
  • Савршени дани
  • Những Ngày Hoàn Hảo
  • Mükemmel Günler
  • Перфектни дни
  • Puikios dienos
  • Zile perfecte
  • Jaukās dienas

Seen Perfect Days?

FAQ

Perfect Days FAQ: Cast, Box Office & Awards

Runtime, release date, director, cast, box office, ratings, awards and post-credit scenes of Perfect Days, each answered in a sentence.

How long is Perfect Days?

Perfect Days runs 2 hours 3 minutes (123 minutes).

When was Perfect Days released?

Perfect Days was released on November 10, 2023.

Who directed Perfect Days?

Perfect Days was directed by Wim Wenders.

More films by Wim Wenders

Who is in the cast of Perfect Days?

Perfect Days stars Kôji Yakusho as Hirayama, Aoi Yamada as Aya and Tokio Emoto as Takashi, among 8 credited actors.

How much did Perfect Days make at the box office?

Perfect Days grossed $28 million worldwide ($3.8 million domestic, $24.2 million international) on a budget of $14 million.

How is Perfect Days rated?

Perfect Days has 7.9/10 on IMDb, 96% on Rotten Tomatoes, 80 on Metacritic and 78% on TMDB.

Was Perfect Days nominated for any awards?

Perfect Days received 2 nominations across 2 ceremonies.

Does Perfect Days have a post-credit scene?

No. Perfect Days has no extra scene during or after the credits.

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