Demon City (2025) | Japanese Movie

Demon City (2025), directed by Seiji Tanaka, is a Japanese action-thriller that swings a meat cleaver at subtlety and lands squarely in the realm of visceral vengeance. Adapted from Masamichi Kawabe’s manga Oni Goroshi, it follows hitman Shuhei Sakata (Toma Ikuta), who awakens from a 12-year coma after being framed for his family’s murder by the demon-masked Kimen-gumi gang. What ensues is a 106-minute rampage of stylish, blood-drenched fight scenes—highlighted by a jaw-dropping stairwell oner and a factory brawl with creative carnage—that channels John Wick with a Yakuza twist.

Ikuta’s stoic intensity carries the film, though his near-mute performance and the barebones script leave little room for emotional heft or character depth. The Kimen-gumi’s takeover of Shinjo City and a late twist involving Sakata’s daughter Ryo (Ami Touma) add intrigue, but the plot feels like a flimsy excuse to string together gore-soaked set pieces. The cheesy guitar riffs and demon mythology nod to pulpy excess, yet the rushed ending hints at sequel bait without fully satisfying. It’s a brutal, entertaining B-movie for action buffs who prioritize slaughter over story—just don’t expect it to linger beyond the credits.