7.1
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The Idiot fingerprint
Strong craft, striking style, a touch of humor.
Energy
Tense
Builds slowly, so the intensity comes in waves.
- Tension7
- Violence5
- Fast Pace3
Heart
Deeply moving and melancholic
Much of it is about family.
- Pathos9
- Melancholy8
- Catharsis7
Humor
A little humor
Not a comedy at heart.
- Wit & Wordplay4
- Dark Humor3
- Cringe Humor2
World
The mind, family, and society
- Dialogue Centrality9
- World Immersion7
- Rewatchability7
Craft
Standout performances, characters, and direction
Layered plot that rewards full attention.
- Acting9
- Character Depth9
- Direction8
Style
Standout cinematography and score
- Cinematography8
- Music Composition8
- Music Centrality8
Energy
MediumTense
Builds slowly, so the intensity comes in waves.
The Idiot is tense. The story builds slowly, so the intensity comes in waves.
All energy traits
- Tension7Edge-of-your-seat suspense and pressure.
- Violence5Physical conflict and intensity.
- Fast Pace3Quick tempo and momentum.
- Spectacle3Scale and set-piece grandeur.
- Adrenaline2High-energy, pulse-pounding intensity.
- Scare1Frightening moments and scares.
Related traits
- Slow Burn8Gradual build with payoff.
- Bleakness8Grim, stark outlooks.
Heart
MediumDeeply moving and melancholic
Much of it is about family.
Emotionally, it's deeply moving, melancholic, and cathartic. Much of it is about family.
All heart traits
- Pathos9Deeply moving, empathetic emotion.
- Melancholy8Bittersweet, reflective sadness.
- Catharsis7Emotional release and payoff.
- Family Dynamics7Relationships and generational ties.
- Romance6Love stories and emotional connections.
- Wonder4Awe, discovery, and amazement.
- Coming of Age3Personal growth and self-discovery.
- Wholesome2Heartwarming, uplifting feelings.
- Hopefulness2Optimism and uplifting resolve.
- Nostalgia2Warmth of memory and retro vibes.
Related traits
- Character Depth9Rich, complex characterization.
- Bleakness8Grim, stark outlooks.
- Philosophical7Ideas about life and existence.
- Spiritual6Faith, meaning, and transcendence.
Humor
LowA little humor
Not a comedy at heart.
Expect a little humor.
All humor traits
- Wit & Wordplay4Clever dialogue and verbal humor.
- Dark Humor3Humor from taboo or grim topics.
- Cringe Humor2Awkward, uncomfortable laughs.
- Absurdist Humor2Surreal, nonsensical comedy.
- Situational Comedy1Humor from everyday scenarios and setups.
- Physical Comedy1Slapstick and visual gags.
- Satire & Parody1Sharp critique and playful imitation.
World
MediumThe mind, family, and society
Its world is built around the mind, family, and society.
All world traits
- Dialogue Centrality9Stories driven by conversation.
- World Immersion7Depth and sensory richness of setting.
- Rewatchability7Invites repeat viewing.
- Ambiguity6Open-endedness and uncertainty.
- Novelty5Fresh ideas and invention.
Related traits
- Psychological9Inner worlds and mind games.
- Social Commentary7Perspectives on society and norms.
- Spiritual6Faith, meaning, and transcendence.
- Historical5Period settings and real events.
- Class & Capitalism5Wealth, power, and inequality.
Craft
HighStandout performances, characters, and direction
Layered plot that rewards full attention.
The performances, characters, and direction stand out. The plot is layered and rewards full attention.
All craft traits
- Acting9Performance craft and presence.
- Character Depth9Rich, complex characterization.
- Direction8Vision and command behind the camera.
- Dialogue Quality8Sharp writing and memorable lines.
- Complexity8Layered plots and ideas.
- Narrative Structure7Story architecture and form.
- Intrigue7Curiosity and investigative pull.
- Non-linear Narrative2Time-shifts and structure play.
- Meta Narrative1Stories about storytelling.
Related traits
- Homage & Reference10Allusions to other works.
- Slow Burn8Gradual build with payoff.
- Philosophical7Ideas about life and existence.
- Novelty5Fresh ideas and invention.
Style
HighStandout cinematography and score
Look and sound: the cinematography and score stand out.
All style traits
- Cinematography8Visual composition and camera work.
- Music Composition8Score and musical identity.
- Music Centrality8The score or soundtrack shapes the emotional experience.
- Editing7Pacing and structure through cuts.
- Visual Stylization7Distinctive aesthetic signature.
- Sound Centrality6Sound design as core element.
Related traits
- Dialogue Centrality9Stories driven by conversation.
Who it's for
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Based on the GoodWatch fingerprint: our scores for 70+ attributes of every movie. Select a row to see all of them.
About
A gentle, war-shattered ex-soldier, Kinji Kameda, arrives in wintry Hokkaidō and is pulled into a volatile tangle of love and pity between the disgraced Taeko Nasu, the proud Ayako, and his possessive friend Akama. Kameda’s saintly compassion exposes everyone’s wounds, steering the quartet toward jealousy, violence, and inexorable tragedy. Adapted from Dostoevsky’s novel.
Dostoevsky AdaptationPost-War JapanPsychological DramaTragedyMoral CorruptionHeavy ThemesCharacter-DrivenMelancholicClassic Film
Actors
Crew
Directed by:
Written by:
Produced by:
Composed by:
Related Movies and Shows
Overall: Similar vibe.
Movies
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Sequels and Prequels
No sequels or prequels available
Media
Questions about The Idiot
Quick answers from GoodWatch data.
Is The Idiot worth watching?
65
GoodGoodWatch scoreMostly. It's well received, with a GoodWatch score of 66/100 (IMDb 7.1 and Rotten Tomatoes 60%). The GoodWatch score combines critic and audience ratings.
What is The Idiot rated?
ViolenceSuicide themes
Content advisories: violence and suicide themes.
How long is The Idiot?
2 h 46 min
The Idiot runs 2 h 46 min.
Do critics and audiences agree on The Idiot?
Critics60
Audiences72
Not quite. Audiences rate The Idiot higher (72) than critics (60). It's more of a crowd-pleaser than a critics' pick.
What language is The Idiot in?
Japanese
It was made in Japanese. Produced in Japan.
In how many countries can I watch The Idiot?
30
+16
+16GoodWatch finds legal streaming, rental, or purchase options for The Idiot in 30 countries. Pick any of them in Where to Watch to see the local services.