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Based on the manga by Masamichi Kawabe, Japanese filmmaker Seiji Tanaka's film takes us into the Japanese mafias and sects through an anti-hero who has lost everything. It is a revenge thriller with plenty of violence and gory scenes, which, despite its flaws, remains entertaining from start to finish.
The film opens with a visually laborious kill, where it immediately sets the tone for the film's brutality.
The action choreography is quite well defined, the movements of both the lead actor Tôma Ikuta and the extras are natural and visually appealing.
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It is also true that the protagonist's strength and abilities are moderately exaggerated, but for an action film featuring a demonic cult.
It's perhaps that almost supernatural edge to the protagonist's talents that makes certain scenes creak.
If the town legend were true - a legend where a demon possesses a human to make a killing every 50 years - then the recovery of the protagonist and his inhuman strength would have made more sense.
The manga on which this live action is based has several volumes, and that is perhaps the biggest shortcoming of this film, compacting a lengthy story into a 105-minute film.
All that said, the film is presented in an entertaining way, with a quick and digestible viewing. Without much emotional attachment and with plenty of adrenaline-pumping action, Oni-Goroshi is an enjoyable, if bloody, film with adequate cinematography and outstanding performances.
In terms of action scenes, the opening sequence and the sequence in the laboratory stand out. The use of machinery and the use of heights add an original and fun touch to these scenes. On the other hand, the final battle manages to introduce surprise elements that make the whole climactic sequence both exciting and dramatic.