Review Published 12th April 2026

Watch the official trailer.

A fleeting call, a fractured connection, and the moment everything changes

A man on a train (Kazunari Ninomiya) keeps to himself, quietly listening to music and minding his own business throughout his commute. When an altercation breaks out nearby, he chooses to ignore it, hoping to go about his day uninterrupted.  After leaving the train, he receives an unexpected phone call from his ex-partner (Nana Komatsu). During the conversation, he receives life-changing news, but because of the poor signal at the station as he walks through it, the call is abruptly cut off.  As he sets off toward a new destination, something unexpected is about to unfold.

Trapped in a looping station where every step repeats, escape may demand more than just finding the way out

While walking around the station looking for an exit, he begins to notice he is going in circles. The advertisements appear to be the same, and a man with a briefcase (Yamato Kôchi) keeps passing by repeatedly.  It seems the man has entered a loop and is completely trapped. The question is, is there a way to escape, and if so, what are the rules? What kind of journey is required to find a way out? Or worse, will the Lost Man fail and instead go completely insane?

A genre-bending adaptation that transforms a viral game into a tense, psychologically charged cinematic experience

Exit 8 is a Japanese film that blends multiple genres, including psychological thriller and, somewhat unexpectedly, horror. The film is based on a well-known video game of the same name and shares its premise and storyline. The game is still available today on platforms such as the PlayStation 5 and the Apple iPhone.  Exit 8 is co-written and directed by Genki Kawamura, whose past work includes co-writing and directing A Hundred Flowers (2022) and the short film Duality, which he also co-wrote and co-directed.

An unpredictable descent into a looping nightmare that pulls you in as both witness and participant

Exit 8 offers a fresh experience unlike anything I have seen before, and I had not played the video game either. Nothing about this film is predictable. As we watch the Lost Man wandering around, searching for clues and anomalies while trapped in a subway station, viewers are on the journey with him, and you cannot help but feel like you are also trying to solve the puzzles to reach the next level.

A masterclass in tension, where repetition becomes the film’s most unpredictable weapon

Even when you think you know what is going to happen, the film manages to surprise you time and time again. Considering the film is set within such a confined space and features an extremely small cast, this is highly impressive. While watching a character walk down the same corridor over and over again might seem dull and unengaging, there are plenty of changes and reveals that keep each pass engaging, suspenseful, and surprising.

A striking blend of meticulous audiovisual design, playful horror, and a surprisingly heartfelt emotional core

The audio and visual elements were also a major highlight. Even the smallest details are carefully crafted to give viewers a fresh cinematic experience. The use of classical music at various points not only feels fitting but also adds a deeper layer of meaning to the film.  At the same time, the horror elements often feel quirky and witty. Like the film itself, they carry a playful quality, like playing a video game. It is not nightmare fuel, but some moments are bound to make you grin, leaving you impressed by the level of creativity on display.  Without giving anything away, the film also has a touching theme and message at its core, which I found genuinely heartfelt and impactful.

A gripping, immersive puzzle thriller that transforms its confined setting into a constantly evolving test of perception and emotion

Overall, Exit 8 is a gripping mystery puzzle that completely pulls you in. What makes it so compelling is how it places you right inside the experience, not just watching, but actively searching for clues, spotting anomalies, and trying to piece together the path to Exit 8 yourself. The film is brilliantly crafted in every sense. Despite its confined setting and minimal cast, it remains consistently tense, inventive, and refreshingly unpredictable with every turn. It never feels repetitive; instead, it builds momentum through clever design and escalating unease.  Paired with exceptional sound design and a surprisingly emotional core, Exit 8 stands out as one of the most engaging and original thrillers of the year.

Exit 8 (2025) will be Available in Australian Cinemas from April 23rd!

About the Reviewer

Peter Walkden

Film writer and curator with a deep passion for cinema, genre filmmaking, and physical media. Exploring new releases, cult favourites, and overlooked films, with a strong focus on atmosphere, storytelling, and the theatrical experience.

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