Woman of the Photographs (2023): Cast, Ratings & Box Office
Woman of the Photographs is a 2023 horror thriller directed by Takeshi Kushida, starring Hideki Nagai as Kai, Itsuki Otaki and Toshiaki Inomata. It runs 1 hour 29 minutes and earned $836,057 worldwide. Critics gave it 100% on Rotten Tomatoes.
- Released
- Runtime
- 1h 29m (89 min)
- Director
- Takeshi Kushida
- Original language
-
Japanese - Studio
- Epic Pictures Group
- After the credits
- No No extra scene
What Is Woman of the Photographs About?
The premise of Woman of the Photographs without spoilers. The whole story is in the plot summary further down.
In the neon-lit streets of Tokyo, a photographer with a fear of women finds his life changed by a captivating model struggling with body dysmorphia. As he becomes increasingly obsessed with helping her overcome her inner turmoil, a complex and intense relationship develops. Their connection leads them into a dangerous and darkly compelling situation where the boundaries of love and obsession blur, with potentially fatal consequences.
Woman of the Photographs Themes & Keywords
· 50 tags- serial killer
- 1970s
- dating game show
- directed by star
- year 1978
- teenage runaway
- sexual predator
- title directed by female
- murder
- true crime
- co produced by director
- directorial debut
+38 more Show fewer
- produced by star
- based on real people
- 20th century
- criminal
- period drama
- period piece
- investigation
- case
- reference to farrah fawcett
- reference to warren beatty
- reference to sam shepard
- reference to immanuel kant
- reference to the juilliard school
- reference to chuck barris
- reference to perry como
- reference to gloria steinem
- year 1971
- sleeping on a bench
- reference to albert einstein
- year 1977
- reference to new york university
- hollywood california
- valentine's day
- los angeles california
- reference to roman polanski
- wyoming
- new york city
- reference to shakespeare's romeo and juliet
- reference to oliver twist
- los angeles times
- reference to sally field
- audition
- reference to edward albee
- year 1979
- reference to patti smith
- reference to linda manz
- laundromat
- reference to tony bennett
Woman of the Photographs Cast & Characters
Hideki Nagai leads the cast as Kai, with Itsuki Otaki as Kyoko and Toshiaki Inomata. Directed by Takeshi Kushida; 4 actors are credited in all.
- Director Takeshi Kushida
- Hideki Nagai as Kai
- Itsuki Otaki as Kyoko
- Toshiaki Inomata
- Toki Koinuma
More from Takeshi Kushida
One more film directed by Takeshi Kushida: My Mother’s Eyes.
Woman of the Photographs Reviews & Ratings
Critics gave Woman of the Photographs 100% on Rotten Tomatoes. Our Echo Score gives it 78/100, strongest in art & craft (84) and weakest in story & flow (62).
Woman of the Photographs Echo Score Breakdown
In terms of overall impression, the film presents a visually striking and thoughtfully crafted work that largely succeeds in delivering its thematic concerns. Critics and viewers note the strong direction, compelling performances, and effective use of period aesthetics, while pointing to uneven pacing and occasional narrative ambiguity. The combination of artistic ambition and solid acting outweighs the structural flaws, resulting in a film that is rewarding on repeated viewings despite its imperfections.
Our own 0–100 rating, built from five aspects: art, character, story, the sensory experience and how well a film rewatches.
- Art & Craft 84
The film’s visual composition demonstrates a meticulous approach to cinematography and production design. Reviewers highlight the gorgeous framing, thoughtful color palette, and polished editing that give the period setting a tangible texture. Some critics note occasional unevenness in rhythm, yet the overall craftsmanship supports the story’s atmosphere and reinforces the director’s artistic intent.
- Character & Emotion 81
Acting performances receive consistent commendation across the reviews. Anna Kendrick’s portrayal of the protagonist and her directorial choices are described as nuanced and effective, while Daniel Zovatto’s depiction of the antagonist is noted as particularly unsettling. A minority of viewers question character authenticity relative to real-life counterparts, but the ensemble’s emotional resonance remains strong.
- Story & Flow 62
Narrative structure elicits mixed responses, with several reviewers praising the film’s ambition and thematic depth while others criticize its pacing and cohesion. The storyline shifts between timelines and perspectives, creating occasional confusion and a perception of uneven momentum. Nonetheless, the central premise and exploration of societal misogyny engage viewers, albeit with fluctuating effectiveness.
- Sensory Experience 78
The auditory and visual components are frequently cited as strengths, with praise for the film’s atmospheric sound design and striking imagery. The soundtrack supports the period setting without overwhelming the narrative. While some viewers note that certain sonic cues are understated, the overall sensory experience contributes positively to the film’s immersive quality.
- Rewatch Factor 71
Replay value is viewed as moderate to high, with many audience members indicating they would recommend a second viewing to appreciate the film’s layered themes and visual intricacies. Critics acknowledge that the uneven pacing may deter repeat watches for some, yet the combination of strong performances and distinctive style sustains interest beyond an initial screening.
-
Rotten Tomatoes 100% Tomatometer
See on Rotten Tomatoes -
Movie Insider 2.0 /5
See on Movie Insider
Woman of the Photographs Plot Summary
What happens in Woman of the Photographs 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 1977 Wyoming, a chilling narrative unfolds as the serial killer Rodney Alcala captures the essence of a woman amidst the serene plains through his camera lens. However, what begins as a seemingly innocent encounter quickly becomes a horrific ordeal. After coaxing the woman to share her heartache from a painful breakup with her ex-boyfriend, Rodney strangles her in a vicious act. Miraculously, he brings her back to life, only to ruthlessly take her life again.
Full summary
The whole story of Woman of the Photographs, scene by scene
Woman of the Photographs Box Office
Woman of the Photographs grossed $836,057 worldwide.
Worldwide gross
$836.1K
- International
- $836.1K
How Well Do You Know Woman of the Photographs?
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
In what year does Rodney Alcala first take photos of a woman in the plains?
Seen Woman of the Photographs?
Movies Like Woman of the Photographs
Films with a similar story, tone or audience, including Woman of the Lake, The Woman and Tokyo Strangler.
-
Woman of the Lake 1966 -
The Woman 2011 -
Tokyo Strangler 2006 -
The Hollywood Strangler Meets the Skid Row Slasher 1979 -
Maniac 2013 -
The Girl in the Picture 1957 -
The Forbidden Photos of a Lady Above Suspicion 1970 -
Murder-Set-Pieces 2005 -
The Woman on Pier 13 1949 -
The Photograph 2020 -
Woman in Chains 1968 -
A Woman Kills 1968
Woman of the Photographs FAQ: Cast, Box Office & Runtime
Runtime, release date, director, cast, box office, ratings, post-credit scenes and language of Woman of the Photographs, each answered in a sentence.
How long is Woman of the Photographs?
Woman of the Photographs runs 1 hour 29 minutes (89 minutes).
When was Woman of the Photographs released?
Woman of the Photographs was released on February 3, 2023.
Who directed Woman of the Photographs?
Woman of the Photographs was directed by Takeshi Kushida.
More films by Takeshi Kushida Who is in the cast of Woman of the Photographs?
Woman of the Photographs stars Hideki Nagai as Kai, Itsuki Otaki as Kyoko and Toshiaki Inomata, among 4 credited actors.
How much did Woman of the Photographs make at the box office?
Woman of the Photographs grossed $836,057 worldwide.
How is Woman of the Photographs rated?
Woman of the Photographs has 100% on Rotten Tomatoes and 2.0/5 on Movie Insider.
Does Woman of the Photographs have a post-credit scene?
No. Woman of the Photographs has no extra scene during or after the credits.
What language is Woman of the Photographs in?
The original language of Woman of the Photographs is Japanese.
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