One of the most talked-about contemporary Japanese horror films, "DOLLHOUSE: CURSED DOLL" (Dooruhausu, ドールハウス), is finally coming to cinemas in Latin America. In theaters from November 6. "DOLLHOUSE: Cursed Doll" was first published in La Verdad Panamá. Despite their attempts to get rid of the doll, it always returns. "DOLLHOUSE: CURSED DOLL" comes to revitalize the J-horror subgenre, or Japanese horror cinema, which emerged in the late 90s with cult films like "Ringu" (1998) and "Ju-on: The Grudge" (2002). This genre is characterized by building unsettling atmospheres, advancing at a slow pace, and using psychological horror rather than easy scares. In terms of its commercial performance in Japan, the film grossed $12 million, surpassing one million viewers. Led by a prestigious director, featuring a renowned cast, and a production that combines traditional Japanese craftsmanship with contemporary storytelling, "DOLLHOUSE: CURSED DOLL" arrives on Latin American screens to offer a cinematic experience that promises to be the horror of the year. Filming also took place in distinctive natural locations in Japan, including Chiringashima Island, located in Kagoshima Prefecture, a site that connects to the mainland only when the tide is out, contributing to the film's claustrophobic atmosphere. "DOLLHOUSE: CURSED DOLL" has been part of the official selection of the Sitges and New York Asian Film Festivals, and has also been recognized with a nomination for Best Art Direction at the Japanese Academy Awards. Years later, when the couple has a new daughter, the doll reappears in their daily life, unleashing a series of inexplicable events that begin to disrupt the family dynamic. One of the most outstanding aspects of the production is the creation of the doll Aya, designed by practical effects and makeup specialist Kakusei Fujiwara. Inspired by traditional Japanese dolls from the Edo period and modern modeling techniques, Aya was crafted with facial asymmetry that generates changing expressions depending on the camera angle. For filming, two versions of the doll were used: one highly detailed for close-ups and a lighter one for movement scenes. Directed by Shinobu Yaguchi, known for the successful comedies "Waterboys" and "Swing Girls," the film marks a significant shift in his filmography as he delves into the psychological thriller genre with horror elements for the first time. "DOLLHOUSE: CURSED DOLL" tells the story of Kae Suzuki (Masami Nagasawa) and her husband Tadahiko (Koji Seto), a couple facing the loss of their five-year-old daughter. Grieving, Kae finds a doll at an antique market that bears a striking resemblance to her deceased daughter, which helps her cope with her grief. Here, the fear comes from the invisible, from what dwells in the stillness and the empty gaze of a doll that seems to have a life of its own.
