Death according to the script Famous biochemist Shusuke Aoe is involved in investigating mysterious deaths. Both victims died from hydrogen sulfide poisoning from natural sources in different parts of Japan. The investigators question whether such a coincidence and probability of murder is possible in such an unusual way. In the course of the investigation, Shusuke Aoe meets Madoka, a high school student who calls herself the “Laplace Witch” and quite logically explains what happened. However, to believe what she says is quite difficult. The girl is looking for a recently missing friend, besides it turns out that she has something to do with this complicated case. Meanwhile, another man dies under mysterious circumstances.
The script on the detective novel of the famous and quite popular in Japan writer Keigo Higashino combines several elements at once: in addition to the investigation itself, the mystical component and even a certain conspiracy in the highest circles are clearly outlined. The first line is quite strong and catches already from the very back of the detective. Following Higashino, director Takashi Miike managed to create an intriguing mysterious atmosphere in which the viewer plunges with his head. One mystery follows another, and while we are forced to puzzle in guesses - the atmosphere is only heating up. Add to that a mysterious girl, clearly possessing some hidden talents, constantly stalking geology professor Shunsuke Aoi, an equally obsessive detective from Tokyo. The mystical line was also intriguing, but from the 50th minute, when everything turned into a banal conspiracy of the “powerful” – the plot began to slide down an inclined one and repeat long worn-out cliches. In this regard, it was much better to preserve the classic detective with a slight touch of mysticism.
At a certain point, the characters embark on philosophical arguments about the possibility of predicting the future and the feasibility of this, and over time these reflections only deepen. So the film will definitely appeal to fans of mystical films with philosophical overtones.
Actor Sota Fukushima has long collaborated with the director. Suffice it to recall “The Terrible Will of the Gods” (2014) or “The Blade of the Immortal” (2017). In this case, the successful actor has much less screen time, but his role as Kento Amakasu is one of the key in the investigation. Great coped with the image of the mysterious girl Madoki Suzu Hirose. I think this actress has a great future, because she easily performs the most diverse roles, and the secretive, mysterious, mutely frightened Madoka Uhara is another confirmation of this. One cannot but mention the game of Sho Sakurai, professor of geology Shunsuke Aoi, who is the central hero in the film. However, to say something specific about his game is difficult, his character did not come out clear, always doubting, insecure. I did not see any charisma in him, although with a role like he coped well.
A great merit of the fact that the film constantly keeps in suspense - in a well-chosen musical accompaniment. Composer Koji Endo has long worked with the director, as has cameraman Nobuyasu Kita. As a result, we have a well-coordinated creative team, which undoubtedly left its imprint on the creation of “The Witch of Laplace”.
A few interesting points. Filming began on March 16, 2017 and ended at the end of April of the same year. The film is based on the novel by Keigo Higashino (published May 15, 2015). Among Western film critics, Lapples Witch received generally negative reviews, with most reviewers pointing to the difference in quality between this film and other works by Takashi Miike. The box office of the film was 10.919.843 dollars.
9 out of 10