EVIL DOES NOT EXIST (2023) by Ryosuke Hamaguchi

"Hamaguchi presents an uncomplicated tale about contemporary issues—corporate greed, climate change—packed with so many complex narrative beats that it plays like a dense 19th century novel. It’s simple, but it explains life itself." - Murtada Elfadl (The A.V. Club)

"It’s far rarer when a movie, as this one does, speaks to everyday life and to the beauty of a world that we neglect even in the face of its calamitous loss." - Manohla Dargis (The New York Times)

"So carefully and empathetically constructed – even towards its “villains” – that it feels miles away from didacticism, this shapeshifting ecological tale becomes a yearning rumination on the alienations of modern life, and the quietly violent seams where things in this world are changing and dying rapidly while we lack the language to arrive at the same destination, no matter how much people say they’re listening." - Xuanlin Tham (Little White Lies)

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[Steve]

"Ahoy, sexy!" (Frances Ha, anyone?)

Ahem. Welcome to 2026 everybody! In my absence, I've been connecting with nature and its healing capabilities. Without being too preachy about it, I'm interested in exploring films of said, well, nature... Which, in my research, led me to a hybrid month I dub (Human) Nature.

Humans and the natural world are inseparable. We rely and depend on each other for a myriad of reasons. Us humans, however, are notorious for mistreating the environment and overconsuming the available resources (hello climate change), which is a sad reality that we are all feeling the effects of.

On the positive side, forests provide us humans with retreats from our busy lives and offer us a space to reset and slow down. Humans conversely have developed sustainability methods to help preserve ecologies and protect flora and fauna from further loss and extinction (although, as we see in the film, there are plenty of us that don't give our actions and their consequences much thought...).

There is ever the disconnect from nature in this technology-driven time we live in. This being the start of the new calendar year, as well as when the harsh realities of winter begin to settle in for many of us, seems like the perfect time to slow down and engage with some cinema that examines the beauty and mystery of this natural world we inhabit.

These ideas and themes are plentiful in Ryosuke Hamaguchi's EVIL DOES NOT EXIST (2023). The film centres around the fictional small rural town of Mizubiki village, which is located a few hours north of Tokyo. Many of the townsfolk have come to Mizubiki to settle down or cultivate a quieter life.

Early on in EVIL, we learn that a talent agency hired by a development company is holding a townhall to present a new glamping site to the residents of Mizubiki. What ensues is essentially an "us vs. them" type scenario between the corporate world and the humble residents of Mizubiki.

Director Ryosuke Hamaguchi (DRIVE MY CAR; Academy Award winner for Best International Feature Film 2021) gracefully balances the tensions between corporate aims and living in connection with the land. There's a blending of the two styles of living within the context of the narrative that I won't spoil, which unfolds in an organic, natural way, showcasing Hamaguchi's flare for balance in storytelling.

This careful balancing ultimately leads to a jarring ending that's sparked controversy amongst cinephiles and critics alike. I eagerly await your thoughts and interpretations!

Join us Sunday, January 4, 2026 at 10am at the Red Brick Cafe for our first discussion of (Human) Nature month.

You can stream EVIL DOES NOT EXIST on Kanopy for free (through the Guelph Public Library).

We'll continue (Human) Nature month with the Canadian art-slasher IN A VIOLENT NATURE (2024) by Chris Nash and the enigmatic Russian classic MIRROR (1975) by Andrei Tarkovsky.

Happy watching...? 🌳