The Guard from Underground

The Guard from Underground, released in 1992, is a thrilling Japanese horror film directed by Kiyoshi Kurosawa, a filmmaker widely known for his contributions to the J-horror genre with works such as "Cure" and "Pulse". The movie features Makiko Kuno, Yutaka Matsushige, and Hatsunori Hasegawa in primary roles, immersing viewers into a narrative that blends slasher elements with a tense, psychological atmosphere unique to Kurosawa's style.

The film opens with the young and ambitious Akiko Narushima, played by Makiko Kuno, who finds herself taking a new job at a major company, keen to leave her odd past as an artist behind and start anew in the corporate world. From the onset, the transition from the world of art to the ruthlessness of office politics is palpable, and Akiko must navigate the intricacies of her new environment while establishing herself in the company's hierarchy.

Shortly after Akiko's arrival, the company recruits a new security guard, Fujimaru, portrayed by Yutaka Matsushige. With a quiet and imposing presence, Fujimaru initially seems to be a vigilant and dutiful addition to the corporate office. Yet, it doesn't take long for things to take a sinister turn as his disturbing past, marked by a career in sumo wrestling that ended in disrepute and violence, bubbles to the surface. Matsushige's performance as Fujimaru is both menacing and oddly sympathetic; his characterization is nuanced, leaving the audience uncertain of how to feel about him.

The plot thickens when employees begin to mysteriously disappear, and unsettling occurrences within the building's sterile corridors increase. Security cameras capture only brief glimpses of the horrors unfolding, intensifying the claustrophobic sense of being trapped in a high-rise office with an unseen menace. As the company's new recruits and seasoned veterans alike start to sense the danger, paranoia and suspicion sweep through the staff. Akiko, with her perceptive nature, senses that the alarming events are somehow linked to the enigmatic new guard.

The office setting provides an interesting backdrop for horror, subverting the mundane and familiar world of work into a playground for fear and suspense. The contrast between the brightly lit offices and the dark, foreboding basement areas of the building serves as a visual metaphor for the duality within human nature – the civilised facade above ground and the primal, darker instincts lurking below.

Hatsunori Hasegawa takes on the role of a key company executive, whose interactions with Akiko and Fujimaru reveal a complex interplay of power dynamics and personal ambitions. Hasegawa's character adds another layer to the narrative, prompting the audience to question the true nature of corporate success and the sacrifices made in its pursuit.

Director Kiyoshi Kurosawa's approach to The Guard from Underground is marked by his trademark style of eliciting horror from the everyday. Kurosawa makes use of long takes, minimal music, and measured pacing, allowing the sense of suspense to build organically. Rather than relying on jump scares or excessive gore, he crafts a psychologically intense atmosphere where the anticipation of horror becomes almost as nerve-wracking as the horror itself.

Kurosawa also explores the theme of identity, both personal and professional. Akiko's struggle to establish her new self is mirrored in Fujimaru's inability to escape his past, with both characters grappling with society's expectations and their own inner demons. Throughout the film, there is a subtle commentary on the human tendency to don masks and the monstrous realities that can lie beneath our civilized exteriors.

What sets The Guard from Underground apart in its genre is not just its suspenseful plot but also the undercurrent of social critique. The narrative examines the confined and oppressive nature of corporate life, and how this environment can exacerbate the most dangerous aspects of human psychology. Each character’s story unfolds amidst a growing sense of doom, with their fates intertwined within the gloomy architecture of the corporation.

As the film progresses, the company's gargantuan building turns into a labyrinthine prison of steel and concrete, effectively illustrating the characters' feelings of entrapment. The juxtaposition of traditional horror elements with a very current and relatable setting results in an unsettlingly believable tale of dread that resonates with audiences familiar with the suffocating pressures of professional life.

The Guard from Underground showcases Kiyoshi Kurosawa's early efforts in what would become a revered career in the world of horror cinema. It is a must-watch for fans of the genre, offering a compelling blend of psychological terror and social commentary that keeps the tensions high without the necessity of overt violence. As a result, it remains an intriguing piece of cinema that has contributed to Kurosawa's legacy as a master of modern horror.