Zoom In: Sex Apartments (1980)
Created By: Naosuke Kurosawa
Where to get it: Synapse
Saeko, a woman with a mysterious past, is hit with a rock and brutally raped by a man wearing a dark mask and black gloves. Her life is spared, but soon brutal murders befall the residents of the Kibougahara Apartment building. The victims are beaten, killed, and their genitals are set on fire. Saeko has her suspicions about the killer’s identity, but will she live long enough to unmask the pyromaniac?
Sex, horror and nudity!
What we have here is the type of film I can really dig. This movie is erotic, violent, and weird! When you get a good combo of the three it makes for an interesting cinematic adventure, and that’s really what a number of these Nikkatsu releases are. In the case of this one we have the same vile and repulsive themes that are in the others, but this one also brings along a nice horror aspect to it. You won’t be able to wrap your head around some of the odd things that happen in this movie. Then again, I think some of the best films are the ones where you aren’t for sure what is exactly going on all the time.
As this film precedes it goes from an erotic mystery to a bit of a horror inspired erotic thriller. It maintains weirdness all along the way and makes it one of the more interesting titles to fall under the Nikkatsu banner. It not just sex for the sake of sex, the film does have a point and makes that point in a clever way. Even if you’ve not found this series to be your cup of tea, I’d recommend you check this one out. There seems to be a little something for everyone here, from horror fans to just fans of erotic films. I would easily recommend this movie.
(7/10)
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