Halloween tales: The scariest Japanese horror films of all-time
You can hide under the covers after watching these films, but the horror will be permanently etched onto your brain
Takashi Miike's 1999 film "Audition" is only scary if you have something against graphic violence.'Tis the season to be ... gory! Truth be told, Japan's real season for scares and spooks falls during the summer months, not Halloween. But don't let that stop you from checking out some of the freakiest, scariest films ever made, here or anywhere else.
6. Kwaidan (1964)
A visualization of four classic tales of terror from the adopted great granddady of Japanese horror, Lafcadio Hearn. "Kwaidan" wasn't the first Japanese horror film by a long shot, but it was the first to get attention on the international stage. So, there's no better way to dip your toe into the frigid waters of traditional Japanese terror.
Relying on atmosphere rather than shock value, the film's sets, cinematography and acting are a feast for the eyes. Kwaidan's stories are a lingua franca for those interested in exactly what creeps Japanese people out.
5. Tokaido Yotsuya Kaidan (1959)
A retelling of the classic horror story of O-Iwa, an innocent woman betrayed by her sleazebag samurai husband, this film is widely considered to be the pinnacle of the Japanese ero-guro (erotic/grotesque) genre.
Directed by cult favorite Nobuo Nakagawa, the tale of seduction, murder and revenge may seem a bit theatrical by modern standards, but it represents a true piece of Japanese horror history.
The "Yotsuya Kaidan" is one of Japan's most famous tales of terror and is still performed as a Kabuki play today. This gory take on the classic is a must-see for J-horror fans.
4. Horrors of Malformed Men (1969)
Based on a story by the legendary Edogawa Rampo, this "Island of Dr. Moreau"-esqe tale centers on a deformed scientist attempting to take revenge on "normal" humanity with an army of half-human hybrids.
The use of a talented troupe of Butoh dancers to portray the titular malformed men -- many of which were created for the film by physically attaching actors to live animals -- gives the whole production a theatrical, Lynchian feel.
Banned in its home country for its use of inappropriate words and a less than charitable portrayal of the physically challenged, it's available in the United States as a subtitled DVD.
