Summary
When discussingJapanese horror movies, fans often bring up the late ’90s to early 2000s classics likeJu-on: The GrudgeorAudition. Decades earlier, in the ’80s,the genre was starting to become more experimental, ultimately leading it to evolve and inspire what we today know as a more customary movie subgenre, j-horror.
During the 1980s,Japan impacted audiences by taking people’s ordinary lives and twisting them into daunting experiences.Directors took a liking to giving the impression that this could happen to anyone, making it both relatable and anxiety-inducing. This style was what ultimately set the bar for movies to come. Some of these more obscure classics were what inspired a lot ofthe best horror movies of all time.
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Trapped In Terror
The eerie premise ofEvil Dead Traprevolves around a camera crew going to check out an abandoned military establishment after receiving a snuff film coming from that place.A lot of common horror tropes are seen here,like the main character shaking off the gravity of the situation, which leads to their demise later on. Scenarios where the characters split up and then get trapped are all present here too.
The special effects of the movie were made by Shinichi Wakasa, who became so renowned that ended up working making monster suits for famous movies to come, like Godzilla.
WhileEvil Dead Trapfollows the usual plot points for these types of movies, it still makes its audience’s jaws drop. The fact that they were trying to catch the original sender of the snuff film and ended up running across two psychopaths instead was a remarkably unpredictable twist.The elaborate murder sequences of the crew reflect the level of advanced analysis its production team also had.
9Wicked City (1987)
The Dark Side Of Tokyo
1987’sWicked Cityis a highly stylized original video animated film that introduces the idea of two demons joining to destroy the world.Animation as a whole was still developing during the 1980s in Japan, butWicked Citybecame one of the first of its kind to dive into the horror genre.By mixing horrific imagery with sci-fi, action, and fantasy,it quickly became a well-rounded fan favorite.
The setting reminded audiences of famous movies at the time, likeGhost in the ShellandNinja Scroll,but its content surrounding demons, humanoids, and cyberpunk-esque weapons made it extremely eerie. The gloomy art style that holds up well to this day, paired with extreme gore and abnormal adult scenes,makesWicked Cityan unforeseeable experience.
8Battle Heater (1989)
Heat Up The Horror
Director Jôji Iida’s horror-comedyBattle Heateris a horrifying, confusing movie. It surrounds the events of a rock guitarist who turns a kotatsu heater into a death-dealing creature after removing its protective seal. This demented plot leads to incredibly disturbing scenes like the kotatsu growing fangs or the close-ups of its disgusting pulsating metallic skin.
The film’s enjoyment will honestly depend on the individual viewer’s tolerance of nonsensical moments.The comedy-horror sequences are so bizarre that they will undoubtedly leave a lasting impression.Battle Heaterplays with viewers' minds by having moments like the electrocution of an elderly couple paired with goofy sound effects and music.
7Tokyo: The Last Megalopolis (1988)
Tokyo’s Final Days
Born from Tokyo’s history and urban legends,Tokyo: The Last Megalopolisis unlike any film of the time. In the movie, we follow Kato, a demonic psychic who attempts to revive a great evil and use it to reduce the city to ruins.This supernatural horror is so graphic that the sole act of its existence is already very courageous.
Tokyo: The Last Megalopolishas tons of disturbing, yet creative concepts.From its discussions of human existence to the introduction of a Japanese general from ten centuries ago who is also a demonic reincarnation, the film never stops surprising. The contrast between a blooming, modern Tokyo and its more unknown dark history and urban legends make it a must-watch.
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6Cyclops (1987)
One Eye
The medical-focused horror filmCyclops,is one of the most haunting films J-horror has to offer.With its traumatic depictions of medical equipment and scientists and doctors implanting one-eyed mutants in women, this is a film iatrophobes want to evade at all costs.
Cyclopssurrounds the aftermath of a woman birthing a large mutant cyclops and a team of experts looking to reproduce it.All the diverse, hidden deformed mutants trying to casually blend in society make the movie disturbing.The body-horror visuals in this movie are prevalent, and scenes that go from 0 to 100 happen rapidly throughout all of it.
5Sweet Home (1987)
Home Sweet Home… Or Is It?
1987’sSweet Homeis a key film in the evolution of the very famous Japanese survival-horror subgenre. On the outside, it may look like any other eerie atmospheric flick, but on the inside,it’s a chilling psychological experience.Sweet Hometackles the story of a TV crew going to a big old house to film a painting on the wall, but to their surprise, they end up finding a child’s deceased body instead.
The movie struck Japanese viewers so much that a Fanicom game of the same name was later released. Its iconic use of shadows and practical special effects are well executed, shining in scenes like the one including a medieval weapon used by infants. Its mind-blowing intricacies, like the passing of the child being related to the painting itself, are also something worth pointing out.
4Biotherapy (1986)
A Breakthrough In Medicine
In the realm of horrific and disturbing films,Biotherapyhas a lot to offer. This revolting Japanese gore-fest focuses on a group of scientists getting followed and later murdered by an alien. Being definitivelynot for the faint of heart,the images of the alien trying to retrieve by force the scientists' secret formula are enough to make even the hardest horror fans squirm.
Relevant moments include one of the scientists having his eyeball removed, which highlights the artist’s level of convincing effects. Even at its short runtime of 35 minutes,Biotherapyis both entertaining and disturbing,even for viewers who have no clue about what’s going on. The film was interesting enough to have been stretched out into a feature-length film.
3Guzoo: The Thing Forsaken by God - Part I (1986)
Forsaken By The Gods
Guzoo: The Thing Forsaken by Godis especially horrifying because,with its cast of cute Japanese girls and tentacles, it disguises itself as something it’s not.Viewers that tuned in were greeted by a different type of film to the one they were expecting, as it contains zero nudity. From the very beginning featuring the creature’s shaking, pulsating, and vomiting to the absurdly confusing ending featuring Guzoo altering reality itself, this film never gets boring.
WhileGuzoo: The Thing Forsaken by Godfeatures a large amount of over-the-top gore,it still qualifies as a must-watch for fans of WTF cinema. The final ten minutes are very remarkable as the characters are chased around by the slimy critter, and are given a glimpse of hope before ultimately ending in the most baffling way.
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2Desu Pawuda (1986)
A Nightmare Come To Life
If in search of a scary and nonsensical film,Desu Pawudais a good option to consider.This Japanese cyberpunk horror film was so remarkable that it ended up molding more well-known movieslike964 PinocchioandRubber’s Lover. While the film’s material looked like it was a collage of multiple people’s works, the ending credits let us know that, “ALL [was] directed by Shigeru Izumiya.”
From scenes where a female creature with the “death powder” morphs while it is strapped down, to the three conspirators stealing the secret android itself,the special effects were so impressive that they brought the movie to life.The huge, protoplasmic organism was an addition that was extremely hard to look at. Desu Pawuda is simply a movie that leaves its audience scratching their heads.
1Tetsuo: The Iron Man (1989)
A Cyberpunk Horror Masterpiece
Regarded as one of the mostbizarre horror movies from the ’80s that people love,Tetsuo: The Iron Manwas one of the movies to popularize horror-cyberpunk genre. While the movie is a bit too intense for a beginner, the director’s Shinya Tsukamoto’s vision turned into a 67-minute disturbing play on a Japanese salaryman who horrifically transforms himself into a machine-human hybrid.
There is no way to prepare viewers for this disturbing experience, the designs, the effects and the inclusion of some stop-motion make it a testament to the filmmaker’s creativity and technical skill. Moments like the dinner table scene are so raw in depicting the protagonist’s descent into madness and his obsession with metal. The scene where metal starts emerging from his skin is so shocking and psychologically unsettling that it stays with viewers long after the movie finishes.
Tetsuo: The Iron Man (1989)
Cast
Tetsuo: The Iron Man (1989) is a Japanese cyberpunk horror film that explores themes of transformation and technology. It follows a man who gradually turns into a metal being after a series of disturbing events. The film is known for its intense visual style and visceral imagery, presenting a relentless fusion of flesh and machinery in a nightmarish urban landscape.
