[FrightFest Halloween '25] FILM REVIEW: Mag Mag

Mag Mag - FrightFest Halloween UK Premiere Review

Director: Yuriyan Retriever

Starring: Sara Minami, Takumi Saioto, Aoi Yamada, Ôshirô Maeda

Written by: Eisuke Naitô

Produced by: Daisuke Takahashi

Cinematography by: Hideki Shima

Original Score by: Yonkey

Synopsis:

After her beloved is killed by the Mag Mag ghost, the protagonist, Sanae, vows revenge, but soon discovers the true identity of the person she truly owes her revenge to.

Thoughts:

From acclaimed Japanese comedian Yuriyan Retriever comes this strange but hypnotic ghost story about lost love with some hilariously dark moments that is sure to split opinions.

Heavily inspired by classic J-horror from the 90s and early 2000s, 'Mag Mag' tells the story of a ghostly curse, formed through unconditional love, who attacks high school boys. The curse itself does take a human form in the guise of a tall shaggy haired woman wearing a pink dress.

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The film is split into various chapters all titled after the main character in that particular section of the story. Art student Hiroshi (Oshira Maeda) is the boy at the centre of the first story, who has two girls vying for his love. But Hiroshi only has eyes for Rumi (played by the very engaging Aoi Yamada) who he has based his latest life size sculpture on and soon he becomes aware of another girl's obsessive tendencies. He gets a fatal visit from Mag Mag and the two girls clash in the mournful aftermath.

Another section looks at Yurika, a slightly overweight schoolgirl whose bullying at the hands of her male classmates is devastatingly brutal. One boy in particular who goes too far eventually receives the full magnitude of Mag Mag's vengeance.

And there is a sense that the film is a response to bad relationships caused by men. But it's also a film that explores obsession and the weaponization of lust and love. Yuriyan is clearly having an absolute blast here but it might take you a while to fully accept the tonal whiplash that the film throws in your face. There's some fantastic horror on show here but what might really make it stand out is the absurdity of it all.

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It's beautifully shot and the pacing is just right. Sara Minami as Sanae is extraordinary throughout, able to deliver a wide range of performances when she's asked to. And while Yuriyan clearly pays tribute to some of her favourite Japanese filmmakers, she also manages to amalgamate satire and horror perfectly to pave her own path.

'Mag Mag' is pretty twisted but it'll keep you guessing the whole way through and it makes me yearn for Yuriyan's next feature horror film.

Verdict: ⭐️⭐️⭐️

-Gavin Logan

'Mag Mag' recveived its UK Premiere at FrightFest Halloween on November 1st