The Eel (1998): Cast, Ratings, Box Office & Plot
The Eel is a 1998 drama directed by Shohei Imamura, starring Akira Emoto, Tomorowo Taguchi and Mitsuko Baisho. It runs 1 hour 57 minutes and earned $424,683 worldwide. It earned 1 award nomination, including Best Foreign Film at the Spirit Awards 1999. Critics gave it 81 on Metacritic.
- Released
- Runtime
- 1h 57m (117 min)
- Director
- Shohei Imamura
- Genre
- Drama
- Original language
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Japanese - Studio
- Films sans Frontières
- After the credits
- No No extra scene
What Is The Eel About?
The premise of The Eel without spoilers. The whole story is in the plot summary further down.
After eight years of seclusion, Takuro Yamashita seeks refuge in a quiet barbershop, finding comfort in a pet eel that represents his journey toward redemption. He forms a connection with Keiko Hattori, rescuing her from her own struggles, and their relationship deepens. However, the lingering effects of his past threaten to disrupt the fragile hope they've discovered together, forcing him to confront the darkness within.
The Eel Cast
Akira Emoto leads the cast, with Tomorowo Taguchi and Mitsuko Baisho. Directed by Shohei Imamura; 10 actors are credited in all.
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Director Shohei Imamura
Also Starring in The Eel
· 6 moreMore from Shohei Imamura
More films directed by Shohei Imamura, best-rated first: Vengeance Is Mine, Warm Water Under a Red Bridge and A Man Vanishes (1967).
The Eel Reviews & Ratings
Critics gave The Eel 81 on Metacritic.
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Metacritic 81 Metascore
See on Metacritic -
TMDB 70% User score
See on TMDB
The Eel Plot Summary
What happens in The Eel from start to finish, spoilers included, with a timeline of 11 key events. The opening is below; the full summary is a 2-minute read.
Spoilers ahead
In Chiba Prefecture, Japan, acting on the advice of an anonymous note, Takuro Yamashita returns home one night to find his wife with another man. He kills her and then surrenders to the police. After serving his time, he is released and starts a small barber shop, bringing along a pet eel that he talks to while largely keeping others at a distance.
He soon helps save Keiko Hattori from a suicide attempt, and she begins working at the shop. She begins developing romantic feelings for him, but he remains emotionally aloof, even turning down the boxed lunches she prepares for him after he goes eel-hunting with the local fisherman. The fragile balance of their relationship is strained as Takuro tries to maintain his isolation.
Full summary
The whole story of The Eel, scene by scene
The Eel Box Office
The Eel grossed $424,683 worldwide. $418,480 came from the US and Canada and $6,203 (1%) from the rest of the world.
Worldwide gross
$424.7K
- US & Canada
- $418.5K
- International
- $6.2K
The Eel Awards & Nominations
The Eel earned 1 award nomination, including Best Foreign Film at the Spirit Awards 1999.
1 nomination1 ceremony
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Spirit Awards 1999 1 nomination- Nominated Best Foreign Film
The Eel Trailers & Videos
The trailer of The Eel.
How Well Do You Know The Eel?
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
- Question 1: not answered
- Question 2: not answered
- Question 3: not answered
- Question 4: not answered
- Question 5: not answered
- Question 6: not answered
- Question 7: not answered
- Question 8: not answered
- Question 9: not answered
- Question 10: not answered
What crime does Takuro Yamashita commit at the start of the film?
Seen The Eel?
The Eel FAQ: Cast, Box Office & Awards
Runtime, release date, director, cast, box office, ratings, awards and post-credit scenes of The Eel, each answered in a sentence.
How long is The Eel?
The Eel runs 1 hour 57 minutes (117 minutes).
When was The Eel released?
The Eel was released on August 21, 1998.
Who directed The Eel?
The Eel was directed by Shohei Imamura.
More films by Shohei Imamura Who is in the cast of The Eel?
The Eel stars Akira Emoto, Tomorowo Taguchi and Mitsuko Baisho, among 10 credited actors.
How much did The Eel make at the box office?
The Eel grossed $424,683 worldwide ($418,480 domestic, $6,203 international).
How is The Eel rated?
The Eel has 81 on Metacritic and 70% on TMDB.
Was The Eel nominated for any awards?
The Eel received 1 nomination across 1 ceremony.
Does The Eel have a post-credit scene?
No. The Eel has no extra scene during or after the credits.
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