Genki Nakamura's Exit 8 is a psychological horror film that delves into the unsettling reality of modern urban life. Set in the labyrinthine Tokyo Metro, the film explores a feeling of disconnection and the sense that the everyday world has lost its meaning. Nakamura, an author and filmmaker, draws inspiration from his own experiences on the subway, where commuters exist in a state of isolation, each absorbed in their own digital worlds.
The film's protagonist, known as the Lost Man, played by Kazunari Ninomiya, finds himself trapped in an endless loop within a metro station corridor. This clean, brightly lit space serves as a metaphor for the mundane yet unsettling nature of urban existence. As the Lost Man navigates this surreal environment, he encounters anomalies—incorrectly placed door handles, shifting lighting, and eerie advertisements—that hint at a deeper sense of unease.
Nakamura's decision to adapt the popular photorealistic video game Exit 8 into a film was a bold move. The game, with its simple rules and looping nature, had already captured the imaginations of online gamers and live-streamers. Nakamura saw an opportunity to expand upon the game's world, creating a new state of existence for the characters and the audience alike.
The film's production was an intriguing challenge. Nakamura and his crew spent a month building and filming in two identical hallways, using a single physical shot to create the illusion of an endless loop. The experience was disorienting, even for the crew, who began to lose their sense of direction within the pure white space. To keep track, they named the hallways after iconic filmmakers Hitchcock and Kubrick.
Adapting a video game for the big screen is a daunting task, and Nakamura admits to feeling scared and anxious about the prospect. The script, with its limited number of scenes, left the staff wondering how to turn it into a movie. But Nakamura's approach was to embrace the unknown, to create something that challenged both himself and the audience.
The film's selection for the Cannes Film Festival was a significant milestone, marking the first time a video game adaptation was chosen for the prestigious event. Nakamura's hope is that Exit 8 will encourage audiences to pause and reflect on their own lives, to break free from the loop of apathetic doom scrolling and reconnect with the world around them. As he puts it, "It would be very good to see that."
In a world where we are increasingly disconnected, Exit 8 serves as a powerful reminder of the importance of human connection and the need to break free from the loops that trap us.
