We’re Not Excited Enough About This Ultra-Creepy Upcoming Japanese Horror Movie Adaptation

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Horror is thriving in Hollywood right now, delivering some of the most creative stories we’ve seen in years. This success has also led to a surge in well-made adaptations of other media, especially video games. We’re seeing a real renaissance in horror games being turned into movies and shows, like Five Nights at Freddy’s, Iron Lung, and Until Dawn – though the quality of these adaptations can vary.

The new horror movie, Exit 8, directed by Genki Kawamura, was a big hit in Japan in 2025. It’s based on a popular indie game and tells the story of a man stuck in a subway tunnel. To find a way out, he has to notice strange things and solve the mystery of his situation.

As a serious film buff, I found Exit 8 really gets under your skin. It’s packed with symbolism and uses unsettling visuals and a lot of silence to pull you right into the story. You feel like you’re right there with the main character, constantly searching for answers in every frame. Honestly, even though the basic idea isn’t totally new, there’s enough here to make it a must-see for any horror fan this spring.

Exit 8 Reportedly Remains Very Faithful To The Popular Game It’s Based On

Video game movies often disappoint, whether they’re based on scary or other types of games, because directors often have trouble recreating what makes the game fun. A recent example is the movie adaptation of Until Dawn. The game is known for its complex ‘butterfly effect’ storyline, where choices have big consequences, but the movie simplified this into a basic time loop plot that felt like a series of random horror moments.

Early reviews and audience reactions to the 2025 film Exit 8 suggest director Kawamura stayed true to the original game’s core ideas. The film successfully captures the feeling of playing the game, even including the occasional annoyance of being stuck. Because the game relies on silent, careful observation, Kawamura effectively brought that same atmosphere to the screen, creating a chilling and unsettling experience.

Exit 8 Received Rave Reviews Out Of Cannes In 2025

Staying true to the original game is usually a good sign for any adaptation, but it doesn’t guarantee a great movie. Luckily, the director reportedly succeeded in both capturing the feel of the game and creating a genuinely scary and tense horror film.

Although the story is simple, critics who’ve seen Exit 8 praise its ability to create genuine suspense. It uses subtle psychological horror and delivers effective scares within a strikingly minimalist visual style. Even though the basic idea is easy to follow, the movie is said to be unpredictable, making it enjoyable for both fans of the original game and new viewers.

Currently, the movie Exit 8 has a fantastic 97% score on Rotten Tomatoes, meaning critics almost unanimously recommend it. Although the score might change a little when it’s released in North America in April 2026, it’s expected to be one of the highest-rated horror films of that year, continuing the trend of excellent horror movies that began in 2025.

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2026-02-21 21:08