The Japanese film 'Exit 8,' now available on Shudder, presents a high-concept horror-adjacent thriller that delves into themes of existential dread and the monotony of daily life. Directed by Genki Kawamura, the movie is based on a popular video game also titled 'Exit 8,' which is described as a walking simulator that features puzzle-solving akin to spot-the-difference games.
The narrative centers on an unnamed protagonist, referred to as the Lost Man, who finds himself trapped in a surreal subway station. Initially, the film adopts a first-person perspective as the Lost Man experiences a series of unsettling events, including receiving a difficult phone call about his ex-girlfriend's pregnancy while seemingly stuck in a loop. This experience appears to transport him into a 'liminal space'—a disorienting environment designed to challenge individuals during difficult times.
Navigating Anomalies
The perspective shifts to third-person as the Lost Man attempts to find Exit 8, realizing he is repeatedly traversing the same corridors, making the same turns, and encountering the same visual elements. He discovers a set of rules for escaping the labyrinth: if he notices an anomaly among the doors, posters, or vents, he must turn back; if he doesn't, he should continue forward. Successfully identifying an anomaly will advance him to the next level, while failure sends him back to the beginning. The challenge is to succeed eight times to achieve freedom.
The film introduces additional characters, including the Walking Man and a mostly mute Boy, who may symbolize the Lost Man's anxieties. The anomalies range from simple discrepancies, like a misplaced doorknob, to more overt references, such as those seen in 'The Shining.'
Thematic Resonance
Critics have noted that 'Exit 8' shares thematic and atmospheric similarities with other 'liminal space' films like 'Backrooms' and 'Escape Room,' as well as the cult classic 'Cube.' While the film's repetitive nature and extended sequences of hallway wandering can be maddening, this is largely acknowledged as an intentional element designed to evoke the feeling of being trapped in a rut or overwhelmed.
The film effectively uses its setting to create literal visual metaphors for the pressures of modern life and the feeling of drowning when faced with excessive challenges. The story of the Walking Man, in particular, is interpreted as a commentary on the futility of seeking shortcuts when a more arduous path is ultimately the correct one.
Despite its thematic strengths and Kawamura's filmmaking, the film's pacing and reliance on repetitive visual and auditory elements have been pointed out as potential drawbacks. The review highlights a recurring, irritating noise associated with the main corridor, described as resembling an un-oiled merry-go-round.
Ultimately, 'Exit 8' is described as a solid formal experiment that offers a worthwhile, albeit sometimes maddening, cinematic experience. It has been recommended for viewing, though with a note to temporarily step away from such metaphorical explorations of the mind.