Martin Scorsese Praises This “Terrifying” Japanese Horror Masterpiece

Martin Scorsese has long been a champion of world cinema, and one of his favorite horror films comes from Japan. He highlighted Kiyoshi Kurosawa’s 1997 film Cure, praising it as a standout work in modern horror.

Unlike typical Hollywood thrillers, Cure mixes psychological tension with crime drama, following a detective investigating a series of strange murders. The killers confess but have no clear motive, creating a sense of unsettling mystery.

“This is one of the very best films by the extremely talented Kiyoshi Kurosawa,” Scorsese said. “He’s an absolute master of light, framing and pacing, and he has so much control over all three that there are moments in his movies when the slightest gesture in the corner of the frame will send a shiver down your spine.”

He added that Kurosawa doesn’t make horror in a conventional sense, but fills his films with a creeping dread. Small, odd details in ordinary life slowly turn into violence and chaos, leaving viewers on edge.

Cure stars Kōji Yakusho and Masato Hagiwara, and it was released by Shochiku-Fuji Company in December 1997. The film’s original title was Evangelist, but it was changed after the Tokyo subway sarin attack to avoid any connection to real-life religious cults. The movie became influential for Japanese horror in the late 1990s, paving the way for films like Hideo Nakata’s Ring and Takashi Shimizu’s Ju-On.

Critics have praised the film for its chilling, intelligent approach to horror. On Rotten Tomatoes, it holds a 94% approval rating, and Metacritic gives it a score of 70, indicating generally favorable reviews.

Tom Mes from Midnight Eye called it “a horror film in the purest sense of the word,” while A.O. Scott of The New York Times highlighted its use of thriller elements to explore social themes. Other reviewers noted that Kurosawa’s methodical pacing and elliptical storytelling create a haunting atmosphere that sets the film apart from more conventional horror.

Scorsese also recommended Kurosawa’s other work, mentioning films like Charisma (1999), Séance (2000), and Bright Future (2003). He described Cure and Pulse as the director’s most terrifying films, with imagery and moments that linger long after viewing.

Kurosawa himself has said that growing up watching American horror inspired him to make Cure, and the film’s success has been important in shaping his career. The movie’s legacy continues, with filmmakers like Bong Joon-ho naming it one of the greatest films of all time.

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