Evil Does Not Exist

Takumi lives with his daughter Hana in Mizubiki Village, a quiet place near Tokyo that feels cut off from the capital's pace. When word spreads that a developer plans to build a camping site a short distance from Takumi's home, the village buzzes with debate. The film follows their ordinary days as neighbors discuss land, permission, and the idea of turning nature into a weekend convenience. With a watchful eye, it tracks how a simple project ripples through a small community and tests a father-daughter bond. The story then turns to how residents negotiate with officials, weigh compromise, and decide what to keep from their past. Life in the village carries quiet tension.

Directed by Ryusuke Hamaguchi, Evil Does Not Exist released in 2023 as an original drama. The film marks another intimate entry in his body of work, focusing on character and moral complexity rather than spectacle. It reflects his patient style and restraint, too.

Box office figures aren't widely reported for this title, so reliable worldwide numbers are not available. Given its limited release and festival circuit play, commercial totals remain unclear. There is no official tally published by the distributor. Reviews are sparse.

The movie invites viewers to consider what a village sacrifices when outsiders arrive and the cost of keeping a place unchanged. Through restrained performances, it probes trust, obligation, and the fragile line between protection and isolation in a changing world. The setting itself becomes a character shaping dialogue.

Critics describe the film as a calm, sensitive drama that centers on family ties and communal tension. It looks at how memory, place, and responsibility shape choices in the face of economic pressure, without resorting to melodrama. Performances by Hitoshi Omika and Ryo Nishikawa anchor the burn of the narrative. Its measured pace rewards attentive viewers.