GoodWatchSign up

The Human Chair

1997·Movie
1h 26min

Where to watch

No stream option in US yet.

Links go to licensed services. Data from JustWatch and TMDB.

The Human Chair fingerprint

Strong craft, light on feelings.

Energy

Tense

Builds slowly, so the intensity comes in waves.

  • Tension7
  • Adrenaline4
  • Fast Pace4

Heart

Emotionally reserved

  • Pathos6
  • Melancholy6
  • Catharsis6

Humor

A little humor

Not a comedy at heart.

  • Wit & Wordplay4
  • Absurdist Humor3
  • Dark Humor3

World

Mystery, the mind, and crime

  • World Immersion7
  • Dialogue Centrality7
  • Rewatchability7

Craft

Standout characters

  • Intrigue9
  • Character Depth8
  • Direction7

Style

Functional look and sound

  • Cinematography7
  • Editing6
  • Music Composition6

Who it's for

AdultsFriends NightPublic Viewing SafeSolo WatchThought-Provoking

Skip it if

You want fast pacing

Find more like it

Based on the GoodWatch fingerprint: our scores for 70+ attributes of every movie. Select a row to see all of them.

About

After seeing her husband off to work, the young author identified only as Yoshiko sets off to read the large collection of letters she received from other young authors. These are often letters containing samples of their work for critique. One large envelope contains a letter. The letter-writer does not provide his name. The letter is a confession of crimes. The letter-writer has no family or friends, and claims to be "ugly beyond description". He is a chair maker and loves his work and all the chairs he creates, even going so far as to claim some sort of intangible connection to his work.
Psychological ThrillerConfessional LetterUnreliable NarratorChair MakerHidden ObsessionJapanese CinemaSlow Burn MysteryDark SecretUnsettling Atmosphere

Crew

Directed by:
Produced by:
Composed by:

Sequels and Prequels

No sequels or prequels available

Media

Questions about The Human Chair

Quick answers from GoodWatch data.

Where can I stream The Human Chair legally?

GoodWatch doesn't know of a legal streaming option for The Human Chair in the United States right now. Pick another country in the Where to Watch section to check elsewhere.

Is The Human Chair worth watching?

67
GoodGoodWatch score

Mostly. It's well received, with a GoodWatch score of 68/100 (IMDb 6.5). The GoodWatch score combines critic and audience ratings.

What is The Human Chair rated?

Disturbing imagery

Content advisories: disturbing imagery.

How long is The Human Chair?

1 h 26 min

The Human Chair runs 1 h 26 min.

What language is The Human Chair in?

Japanese

It was made in Japanese. Produced in Japan.