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Mystery drama

The Third Murder (2018): Cast, Ratings, Box Office & Plot

The Third Murder (2018) movie poster

The Third Murder is a 2018 mystery drama directed by Hirokazu Koreeda, starring Isao Hashizume as Shigemori Akihisa, Masaharu Fukuyama and Kôji Yakusho. It runs 2 hours 4 minutes and earned $13.4 million worldwide. Critics gave it 87% on Rotten Tomatoes and 68 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 6.0/10.

IMDb rating
6.0/10
Rotten Tomatoes
87%
worldwide gross
$13.4M
Echo Score
75
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The Third Murder (2018) movie poster
Released
Runtime
2h 4m (124 min)
Director
Hirokazu Koreeda
Genres
Drama , Mystery , Crime
Original language
Japanese
After the credits
No No extra scene
The story

What Is The Third Murder About?

The premise of The Third Murder without spoilers. The whole story is in the plot summary further down.

A brilliant lawyer, Shigemori, takes on the defense of Misumi, a man who readily admits to murder. Initially believing the case straightforward, Shigemori soon finds his certainty shaken as unsettling details emerge. As he investigates, the line between guilt and innocence blurs, and he questions everything he thought he knew. The pursuit of justice becomes a complex and unsettling journey, leaving the outcome uncertain and the truth elusive.

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Cast & crew

The Third Murder Cast & Characters

Isao Hashizume leads the cast as Shigemori Akihisa, with Masaharu Fukuyama as Shigemori and Kôji Yakusho as Misumi. Directed by Hirokazu Koreeda; 12 actors are credited in all.

Also Starring in The Third Murder

· 8 more
Ratings

The Third Murder Reviews & Ratings

Critics gave The Third Murder 87% on Rotten Tomatoes and 68 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 6.0/10. Our Echo Score gives it 75/100, strongest in sensory experience (80) and weakest in rewatch factor (60).

75 /100

The Third Murder Echo Score Breakdown

The Third Murder delivers a measured exploration of moral ambiguity through restrained pacing and refined craftsmanship. While many critics praised its incisive legal drama and precise framing, others noted occasional narrative fuzziness and emotional detachment that undercut full engagement. The film’s deliberate rhythm and thematic depth earn commendation for intellectual rigor, though some argue that the puzzle’s resolution lacks full clarity. Overall, the film stands as a thoughtfully constructed thriller that rewards patient viewing despite uneven moments.

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

  • Art & Craft 75

    The Third Murder exhibits a polished visual composition marked by precise framing and careful editing. In terms of cinematography and production design, critics highlight the film’s lapidary precision and technical splendor, even as its aesthetic diverges from traditional noir conventions. Editing choices reinforce the measured pace, lending cohesion to each sequence. Overall, the film maintains a striking visual identity.

  • Character & Emotion 70

    Character depth is rendered through nuanced performances, though emotional distance occasionally emerges. When it comes to acting and emotional resonance, critics commend the ensemble’s realistic processing of tragedy and the subtle qualms that inform the drama, while some note a certain detachment that limits empathy. User feedback praises the cast but observes that unresolved narrative threads temper the emotional impact. Overall, the performances anchor the story amid measured affect.

  • Story & Flow 65

    The narrative unfolds with measured pacing and philosophical intent but occasionally lacks full coherence. In terms of plot coherence and engagement, the film’s deliberate rhythm sustains tension through incisive legal sequences, yet some critics find the mystery’s resolution ambiguous and its pacing too languid. Original themes of morality and righteousness enrich the storyline with thoughtful complexity. Overall, the plot offers intellectual intrigue tempered by uneven momentum.

  • Sensory Experience 80

    The film’s audio-visual elements create an immersive atmosphere. When it comes to score and sound design, user reviews highlight the excellent music and ambient soundscapes that heighten tension during interrogations, while critics note the playful, ironic tone underscored by lyrical cues. Visual style maintains cohesion through subdued color palettes and controlled lighting. Overall, the sensory experience is both engaging and meticulously crafted.

  • Rewatch Factor 60

    The film offers intellectual depth that may reward repeat viewings despite its deliberate pace. Regarding replay value, some critics suggest its thematic nuance and moral complexity invite reconsideration, while others warn that narrative fuzziness and emotional restraint could diminish lasting appeal. User impressions vary, praising atmospheric tension but questioning the film’s ultimate resonance. Overall, the rewatch potential is moderate, appealing mainly to dedicated viewers.

Plot

The Third Murder Plot Summary

What happens in The Third Murder from start to finish, spoilers included, with a timeline of 15 key events. The opening is below; the full summary is a 5-minute read.

Spoilers ahead

As the clock struck 12:30 am on October 11, 2017, a horrifying scene played out alongside the banks of the Tama River. A man’s charred remains lay in the shadows, the result of a vicious assault followed by a ruthless incineration. This dreadful incident would soon unravel into a complex and deeply unsettling murder investigation.

In the midst of this turmoil was Shigemori, a seasoned criminal defense attorney, accompanied by his loyal assistant Kawashima. Their journey commenced at the Yokohama Detention Center, where they met Misumi, the man accused of robbery and murder. Misumi’s past was ominous—he bore a previous conviction from 30 years ago when Shigemori’s own father served as the presiding judge. This judgment had spared Misumi from the death penalty, only to see him recently released.

Full summary

The whole story of The Third Murder, scene by scene

Read the full summary
Box office

The Third Murder Box Office

The Third Murder grossed $13.4 million worldwide. $89,315 came from the US and Canada and $13.3 million (99%) from the rest of the world.

2018 box office

Worldwide gross

$13.4M

US & Canada
$89.3K
International
$13.3M
US & Canada 1% Rest of the world 99%
Videos

The Third Murder Trailers & Videos

4 videos: 2 trailers, 1 teaser and 1 featurette.

Official UK Trailer
  • Trailer US Trailer
  • Teaser Teaser
  • Featurette Palme d’Or Winner Hirokazu Kore-eda’s Autopsy of Courtroom Filmmaking
Quiz

How Well Do You Know The Third Murder?

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

At what time does the murder take place?

Details

The Third Murder Also Known As

20 alternative titles, including “Sandome no satsujin” and “The 3rd Murder”.

Also known as
  • Sandome no satsujin
  • The 3rd Murder
  • Üçüncü Cinayət
  • Il terzo omicidio
  • Tredje mordet
  • El tercer asesinato
  • 세 번째 살인
  • Det Tredje Mord
  • Son Cinayet
  • 第三度嫌疑人
  • 第三次殺人
  • O Terceiro Assassinato
+8 more
  • Третье убийство
  • הרצח השלישי
  • Το Τρίτο Έγκλημα
  • 第三度殺人
  • A harmadik gyilkosság
  • กับดักฆาตกรรมครั้งที่ 3
  • Третє вбивство
  • El tercer assassinat

Seen The Third Murder?

FAQ

The Third Murder FAQ: Cast, Box Office & Runtime

Runtime, release date, director, cast, box office, ratings, post-credit scenes and language of The Third Murder, each answered in a sentence.

How long is The Third Murder?

The Third Murder runs 2 hours 4 minutes (124 minutes).

When was The Third Murder released?

The Third Murder was released on July 20, 2018.

Who directed The Third Murder?

The Third Murder was directed by Hirokazu Koreeda.

More films by Hirokazu Koreeda

Who is in the cast of The Third Murder?

The Third Murder stars Isao Hashizume as Shigemori Akihisa, Masaharu Fukuyama as Shigemori and Kôji Yakusho as Misumi, among 12 credited actors.

How much did The Third Murder make at the box office?

The Third Murder grossed $13.4 million worldwide ($89,315 domestic, $13.3 million international).

How is The Third Murder rated?

The Third Murder has 6.0/10 on IMDb, 87% on Rotten Tomatoes, 68 on Metacritic and 66% on TMDB.

Does The Third Murder have a post-credit scene?

No. The Third Murder has no extra scene during or after the credits.

What language is The Third Murder in?

The original language of The Third Murder is Japanese.

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