Rating summary

Movie		3.0
Video		4.5
Audio		5.0
Extras		3.0
Overall		4.0

Videophobia Blu-ray Movie Review

Reviewed by Brian Orndorf June 22, 2022

2019’s “Videophobia” is co-writer/director Daisuke Miyazaki’s attempt to address the lack of privacy in the digital age, with those looking to cause harm capable of doing so rather easily, putting the burden of justice on the victim, and options are limited. It’s not a statement picture, but an atmospheric one, with the production turning to the surreal and the mysterious to understand a psychological erosion happening within the lead character, who endures a shocking event in her life she doesn’t fully understand. “Videophobia” arrives in the midst of rising revenge porn and deepfake cases, and while Miyazaki doesn’t directly address the mental health and legal crisis, he hopes to provide a more internalized journey of horror through filmmaking artfulness.

Ai (Tomona Hirota) is an average woman living in a packed apartment with her family. She’s trying to make money with odd jobs, and she’s pursuing an interest in acting, trying to access deeper parts of her emotions. During a night out on the town, Ai meets a mystery man she’s immediately attracted to, returning to his apartment for a sexual encounter. Later, when looking at a pornography website, Ai recognizes herself in one of the selections, sending her on a mission to understand what’s happened and why it’s happened to her.

“Videophobia” is timely, but Miyazaki isn’t committed to making a movie about the details of a crime. He’s more interested in the directorial possibilities of such a story, and describing the picture as having a plot is generous. “Videophobia” is more about Ai’s experience with discovery than any deeper look at procedure and alarm. Miyazaki arranges a black and white world for his main character, tracking her experiences with work, taking a job as a mascot. And he spends a lot of screen time on her acting education, with her instructor a cruel man using his students as a type of entertainment. She lives with various female family members and is interested in her sexuality, introduced performing a cam show for a male customer.

Her club meeting with the stranger provides necessary unease, watching the skilled man put Ai into position, and while she notices a camera in the apartment, she doesn’t think about it. When Ai finds the video on a porn website, “Videophobia” gives the impression it’s going to evolve into something more direct concerning Ai’s quest to understand what’s happened. Miyazaki doesn’t pursue the conflict in full, trying to capture the scattered headspace of the young woman as she confronts her abuser and tests legal waters, only to learn she’s a mere drop in the ocean of illegal activities.

Videophobia Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

The AVC encoded image (1.85:1 aspect ratio) presentation for "Videophobia" offers a distinct look at the black and white world of the production. Detail provides a crisp inspection of facial surfaces and locations, which retain ideal dimension. Costuming is fibrous, especially fuzzy mascot gear. Delineation is satisfactory, preserving evening encounters.

Videophobia Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

The 2.0 DTS-HD MA mix delivers a crisp understanding of dialogue exchanges, including group activity and hushed encounters. Music is incredibly forceful here, with a louder presence for soundtrack selections, which register clearly and deeply. Atmospherics capture sharp community bustle and room tone.

Videophobia Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

• Booklet (18 pages) includes an interview with co-writer/director Daisuke Miyazaki and a small collection of production photos.

• Intro (1:33, HD) offers a welcome to the "Videophobia" Blu-ray experience from co-writer/director Daisuke Miyazaki, who shares his philosophy that his movies are "letters to the future."

• "I'll Be Your Mirror" (9:14, HD) is a 2022 short film from Daisuke Miyazaki.

• "Videophobia" (5:21, HD) is a music video by BAKU, featuring Jin Dogg, Nunchaku (Tatsuro Mukai, Kumi), and Tomy Wealth.

• And a Trailer (1:05, HD) is included.

Videophobia Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

"Videophobia" has the potential to be a disturbing and necessary understanding of criminal acts and the victim experience, but the production tends to walk around such a distinct take. Miyazaki elects to create a more interpretational understanding of the situation, going dreamlike and indie film-y (including needlessly quaking handheld camerawork) with the material, trying to hypnotize viewers instead of piercing them with a defined appreciation of powerlessness.