Set in Japan in 1940, this nuanced (and subtitled) spy film directed by Kiyoshi Kurosawa (no relation to Akira) is a powerful white-knuckle pre-war thriller with more twists and turns than Lombard Street. It’s shot beautifully, acted superbly, and is played as if it’s based on a true story (though it’s not), which only adds to the drama.
4.5/5 stars