NEVER AFTER DARK

(director/writer: Dave Boyle; cinematographer: Patrick Ouziel; editor: Chieko Suzaki; music: Jonathan Snipes; cast: Moeka Hoshi (Airi), Kento Kaku (Gunji), Kurumi Inagaki (Miku), Mutsuo Yoshioka (The Man/The Gaping Mouth Man), Bokuzo Masana (Inokoshi), Tae Kimura (Teico); Runtime: 105; MPAA Rating: NR; producers: Dave Boyle, Kento Kaku, Kosuke Tsutsumi; Magnolia Pictures; 2026-Japan-in Japanese with English subtitles)

“Invigorating Japanese ghost story.”

Reviewed by Dennis Schwartz
 
American filmmaker Dave Boyle (“Man From Reno”/”Surrogate Valentine”) is director and writer of this slow-burn, invigorating Japanese ghost story.

The traveling medium Airi (Moeka Hoshi) helps trapped spirits escape, as she crosses worlds by hypnotizing herself with a spinning zoetrope and then tracks the spirits down in the house. She wears ritual gear for some unexplained reason. Her thing is to “cross the veil” to help free the spirits when stuck. Every such crossing means she loses a lock of hair. But she has no fear of the ghosts.

The spirit of her deceased sister Miku (Kurumi Inagaki), usually assists her (as we see her reflections in windows and mirrors).

Airi is hired to do her thing at a remote house by the new owner Teiko (Tae Kimura) and her skeptical son Gunji (Kento Kako). They want her to remove a ghost from the premises. Teiko and Gunji leave while she works. Since the afterworld is too thin at night, she only works during the day.

The third act is filled with shocks and surprises, as it presents an eerie story.

Moeka Hoshi’s captivating performance, the excellent storytelling and its spookiness, make this a top-grade horror B-film. Mutsuo Yoshioka makes for a scary adversary for our heroine.

It played at the Celluloid Screams Horror Film Festival.

REVIEWED ON 11/4/2026  GRADE: B+
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