Exit 8 (2025) Review: Stuck In An Endless Subway. Find The Exit, Or Become Part Of It

source: tv.lk21

Synopsis:

Exit 8 (2025) is a Japanese psychological horror-mystery film directed by Genki Kawamura (producer of Your Name). An adaptation of the 2023 viral game The Exit 8 by Kotake Create. Released in Japan on August 29, 2025, with a runtime of 95 minutes. An unnamed man is trapped in an endless underground subway corridor in a Tokyo station. His goal is only one: to get out through "Exit 8". 

The rules are simple but maddening: Pay close attention, if you find an anomaly then turn back, and if there is no anomaly then keep walking. This has to be done several times until you reach exit number 8. If you make a mistake, start from 0. There are no monsters, no chases, only a sterile corridor, neon lights, posters, and a paranoia that keeps piling up. Gradually the anomalies start to connect to his own life and personal trauma.

Critics praised the concept and its execution. Genki Kawamura successfully made us join in observing that corridor and spotting the anomalies. At the 2025 Cannes Premiere, the film received an 8-minute standing ovation. Japanese box office ¥5.2 billion / $44 million. Critics ranked it at #21 for the best video game film of all time. The only minor criticism of its shortcomings is that the film has very little story. So if you need a complex plot, this is not the film you’re looking for.

This film stars: Kazunari Ninomiya, Nana Komatsu, Naru Asanuma, Yamato Kochi.

In my opinion:

Because it kept appearing on my Instagram feed, I decided to watch this film; I was curious. Adapted from the game with the same title, in my opinion this is a simple yet brilliant idea. In the game we have to be observant and remember what has changed in “the corridor”. There are no ghosts or terrifying creatures, only a confusing atmosphere that can drive you insane. With good visuals and cinematography, there is one thing that’s lacking in my opinion. Even though it’s only 1.5 hours, the film feels too long and the result is that I got bored after an hour had passed.

Maybe this film gives the audience freedom to interpret the meaning that can be taken from it. For me, even though the main character has successfully gotten out of the loop, he’s actually still facing 1 more choice which is the same choice from the beginning of the film. If he chooses wrong again, there’s a possibility he will enter the loop again. In my opinion the message conveyed is that we shouldn’t choose the wrong path in life and the main character is given a second chance to fix it. Why can I come to that conclusion? Because there is a man in “the corridor” who apparently went through the same thing, but he failed and ended up becoming part of the anomaly itself.

Japan is always this creative, and so are South Korea and China; there’s always some creative idea about something. Whether it’s technology, games, toys, or film ideas like this one. Amazing! SUGOI!

For me this one is 8/10.