Synopsis
Ride or Die, a 2021 release, is a psychological thriller and romance drama Japanese film directed by Ryuichi Hiroki. The film is based on the manga Gunjo by Ching Nakamura and provides a provocative and emotionally complicated narrative about love, trauma, and moral complexities. It is certainly not your average romance film, as it dives into crime and the more horrific aspects of affection and loyalty combined with emotional chaos.
Through the character of Rei Nagasawa, portrayed by Kiko Mizuhara, we get to know a successful yet emotionally withdrawn cosmetic surgeon. Unlike many women, she is confident in her sexuality and proudly queer in a society that is conservative regarding same-sex relationships. For a prolonged time, Rei has been in love with her ex-classmate Nanae Shinoda, played by Honami Sato, who is a part of an abusive marriage. Although the two have not spoken for years, Rei continues to be fixated on Nanae.
The narrative unfolds with Rei receiving a call from Nanae, who claims her husband is abusing her both physically and emotionally. Angered and disturbed by this, Rei takes extreme measures. Out of what she considers love, Rei kills Nanae’s husband, believing she is liberating the woman she has adored for years from a lifetime of suffering. This act defines the tone for the rest of the film as it thrusts the two women into a frantic and tumultuous odyssey.
Now that they are fugitives, Rei and Nanae take-off. What follows is not so much a fast-paced chase sequence as it is a slow-motion reveal of a deep emotional freefall. The trip morphs into a trial where both women confront their deep-seated darkness, trauma, and the disfunction of their bond. While Rei remains steadfast in her devotion to Nanae, the latter oscillates between emotional breakdown and gratitude toward her partner, repulsed yet strangely drawn, and always unpredictable.
The power dynamics between the two are in constant flux. Rei, assuming that her violent act would bring them closer, now finds herself fighting to earn Nanae’s affection and appreciation. However, Nanae, who has been emotionally shattered by countless years of trauma, tends to erupt in anger because she cannot fully comprehend the weight of Rei’s violence. This often toxic anger makes what should be a nurturing bond feel like a toxic dependence.
Parts of the film consist of flashbacks which provide glimpses into the couple’s shared history. These include snippets from their high school years, signs of unreturned affection, as well as the mental processes that created the current day obsession. These glimpses serve to both explain and create a more complex understanding of the relationship for the viewer. As time progresses, it becomes increasingly ambiguous whether Rei’s conduct can be perceived as selfless heroic actions or selfish behavior, and if Nanae perceives Rei as a rescuer or yet another form of prison.
The focus of the film is not on the glorification of the act of violence; instead, the film examines the feelings that accompany violence as well as the psychological effects that stem from it. While Rei seems to be compassionate, her motivations stem from love, thus, she does not appear to be a heartless murderer. With the progression of her story, her inner conflict heightens. She starts to doubt not only the feelings of Nanae, but the motivations driving her own actions, as well.
The last act of a film brings the characters to the decision they must confront in the world they created for themselves. The climax builds towards a resolution that is not bombastic, and instead calm to the point of being introspective. The film does not resolve the questions it poses, but it showcases the agony of unhealed wounds and conflicting morals, compelling the viewers to examine the fragility that exists between true affection and obsession, faithfulness and tyranny.
Cast and Crew
Kiko Mizuhara as Rei Nagasawa: Mizuhara as Rei has captured the hearts of many with her compelling performance where she exhibited emotional temperance and raw fragility. She encapsulates the paradox of a woman both empowered and imprisoned by her love.
Honami Sato as Nanae Shinoda: Sato stands out with her debut film role. She portrays the character of Nanae as one who survives trauma in a way that is richly complex and at times maddeningly opaque.
Ryuichi Hiroki (Director): Hiroshi is sensitive toward his female characters (Vibrator, Kabukicho Love Hotel) and applies that to the material with a nuanced and restrained directorial approach. Rather than approach the story through a sensational lens, he cares to hone in on the emotional currents that exist within it.
Ching Nakamura (Original Manga Author): The source material, Gunjo, is a dark and psychologically intense manga. Nakamura is known for handling LGBTQ+ topics with nuance, and the film largely honors her interpretation.
Nami Iguchi (Screenwriter): As much as emotions fully infuse the film, Iguchi’s script allows for equal use of silence, raising tension and emotional dissonance through expressions and atmosphere as much as through dialogue.
Music by Haruomi Hosono: The score is understated, often melancholic, helping to underscore the film’s emotional gravity while not overwhelming the narrative.
RIDERS OR DIE: imdb, reception and reviews
Ride or Die has an IMDb rating of 5.6/10, which indicates mixed reception from both audiences and critics. While part of the audience appreciated the film’s bold take on queer love, trauma, and moral ambiguity, others deemed it slow-paced and emotionally draining. The film, in both its structure and overarching themes, defies convention which might prove difficult for viewers hoping for a conventional romantic drama or crime thriller.
The film has received praise for its cinematography and atmosphere. The visual palette—dark blues and urban grays punctuated with warm light—reflects the characters’ emotions. The road scenes are shot beautifully and provide calm amidst the protagonists’ internal chaos.
Reviewers often comment on how the film does not offer easy answers. There are no depictions of violence falling love in a glorified manner. It asks what love is when it is shackled by guilt, obsession, and desperation. Rather, it embraces unease.
Some critics positioned Ride or Die alongside other psychologically intense relationship dramas including Thelma & Louise, Blue Valentine, and Bound, but noted that this film is less about action and more about the gradual collapse of two fractured beings attempting to navigate a nonsensical world.
On the critique side, some viewers were more critical of what they saw as languid pacing. Others criticized the queer representation of love being centered around violence and trauma, arguing that while the film attempts depth, it risks reinforcing negative stereotypes.
Conclusion
Ride or Die is a film full of emotionally complex and bold moments, urging viewers with discomforting scenes to find balance amidst chaos. Though the emotional nature of the film can be unsettling, this lies in the fact that it attempts to explore the dividing line between allegiance and violence, saving someone and controlling them with intent. Through two aggressive lead performances and intertwining truths, Ride or Die captures queer cinema’s progressively radical willingness to approach love in its disturbing extremes.
Considered a blend of thriller and a romance film, Ride or Die offers twists to its plot line that stray too far for simplicity’s sake. Those looking for uncomplicated narratives or a geared up action feature may feel disorientated, but for those seeking a character-guided raw emotional experience, the psychological examination of love turned bad provides an appealing and distressing ride.
Watch Free Movies on Sflix