Cult (2013 film)

Lore & Background

The plot centers on Tomoe Kaneda and her 15-year-old daughter Miho, who experience paranormal activity in their new home. A paranormal TV show sends actresses Yu Abiru, Mayuko Iwasa, and Mari Iriki, along with Buddhist priest Unsui, to investigate. Unsui attempts purification rituals, but Miho enters a trance and kills the family dog. Later, Unsui's superior Ryugen discovers Miho is possessed by an evil spirit; during an exorcism, Unsui is attacked and dies in the hospital, and Ryugen is later killed by the spirit. A freelance exorcist named Neo joins and learns that neighbors have cursed the house. It is revealed that Tomoe is not Miho's biological mother but a member of a spiritual cult that abducted Miho, believing she is a conduit for their god. Neo removes the spirit from Miho, but an apparition of Mari warns that the cult's god will bring about the end of humanity.

Reader's Guide

Cult (2013) is a notable entry in the Japanese found footage horror genre, directed by Kōji Shiraishi, who is known for similar works. The film blends mockumentary style with supernatural horror, using real actresses playing themselves to blur fiction and reality. Its plot involves a cult seeking to use a possessed girl as a vessel for their god, leading to a climax that suggests an ongoing battle against evil. The film had its UK premiere on October 31, 2013. While not widely known internationally, it contributes to the niche of Japanese horror that explores cult themes and possession, and it is available for reference through its IMDb and official website.

Did You Know?

• The film was written and directed by Kōji Shiraishi.
• The actresses Yu Abiru, Mayuko Iwasa, and Mari Iriki play themselves in the film.
• The character Unsui, a Buddhist priest, dies in the hospital after a spirit attack.
• The film's UK premiere took place on October 31, 2013.