Rampo Noir


Rampo Noir is a 2005 Japanese anthology film consisting of four segments based on works by Edogawa Ranpo.
This was recently rereleased by Arrow Video on Blu-Ray.

Synopsis

Mars Canal

A story told without speaking. It tells the story of a naked man who wanders through a depressing and desolate landscape recalling memories of his former lover.

Mirror Hell

The story revolves around Ranpo's fictional detective Kogoro Akechi, as he tries to find out why several women are being found dead with burnt faces and charred skulls. During his investigation, he finds an odd hand mirror at the scene that starts unraveling the mystery.

Caterpillar

A war hero returns home with severe injuries. He is deaf with no limbs and only his eyesight remaining. His beautiful wife, tired of taking care of him, turns to torturing him for her amusement.

Crawling Bugs

An actress is returning home from a successful night on stage, until her limo driver decides that she should be coming home with him.

Reception

Variety wrote: "Sadism triumphs over atmosphere in Rampo Noir, a colorful but over-arty quartet of Japanese horror yarns."