Let's be realistic.

It was OK. I don't see why everyone loves it so much. It wasn't very smart or deep or well-directed.

Yo, there's no way for me to review this film without saying, take your *insert ethnicity + "ass" here* to see this film,like now. You have to see it in order to know what you're really messing with.

A terrific literary drama and character piece that shows how the process of creating art can be seen differently by those doing it and those looking at it from the outside.

I, however, am on the fence. I didn't feel like there were a lot of answers to be found in this and while that initially bothered me, I am starting to wonder if it was intentional seeing as how when someone takes their own life, those they leave behind are left with unanswered questions. I might not have understood it completely but the things that I liked were equal to the things I didn't. I might watch again at some point but until then I'll just have to continue to ride this fence.One little thing, aside from the from the fact that he was a nutcase, did anyone else find Genesis fabulous? Even though he considered himself a Charles Manson I got more of a "Rocky Horror Picture Show" vibe while watching him. Loved the shoes!!

As I scroll through reviews, it seems like Suicide Club is either pointless tripe or touted genius. In my opinion, the movie is what you make of it.Expected from the title, some horror fans will delight in the overt use of violent visuals. It sets this example within the first couple minutes of the film, showing an overwhelming amount of blood filling a Japanese train station; the byproduct of fifty-four young girls clasping hands and jumping in front of an oncoming train. For people with a strong stomach and a keen interest in bloody portraits, Suicide Club definitely doesn't fail in that department. But while I was enjoying this part of the film, I noticed that the further the plot developed, the more questions I began asking. Unfortunately, most were left unanswered (as the movie is quite ambiguous that way) and turned into theories, but I believe this is where the genius of the film comes into play.Sion Sono is making a point about Japanese society, especially as it pertains to suicidal ideation and pop culture. There are points throughout the film where the plot becomes lucid, expounding upon the ideas that went into the film from the director himself but cutting itself off just short of the point. Suicide Club isn't in the business of feeding you answers because it seeks to motivate you. It desperately pines after your thoughts, theories, and questions. It forces you to reply to those yourself without being coddled by the story. In this regard, this is why Suicide Club is something that I would consider a masterpiece. Everyone will come out of the movie with their own ideas about what it all connects to. This is partially why the reviews are love-hate since many believe there is no meaning - and that's fine too.If you are seeking a movie that will sate your need for gore, you've found the right one. Just be wary about the depth of this movie, as I think you might be disappointed afterward if you are not actively participating. In other words, you may not find this movie quite worth your time if you're not willing to put in the effort to understand it. The plot continues to thicken as the movie carries on, creating an ending that never delivers the full-circle satisfaction of most movies nowadays. Characters appear constantly without anything explaining their existence plainly - and with progression for those characters just as obscure, you're likely to feel a bit let down with this title if you're looking for a little mindless fun.Regardless, I think Suicide Club is a great watch. The carnage that ensues throughout the film is engaging and different, making every scene feel like pins and needles until the death arrives. The plot is thick with references, nuance, and metaphors; which might excite anyone looking to trade theories on the meaning of the film. The character progression leaves a lot to be desired, but the vagueness of these people is almost needed to amplify the underlying point the film is trying to motivate you to figure out. Honestly, I stepped out of Suicide Club with a great ton of enjoyment. As this will become my first foray into the wonders of Japanese horror, I'm glad this was the movie that christened that.

I was living in Tokyo for many years but I only recently watched this film.In my opinion it describes the superficiality and loneliness of this city better than any other film that I know. It also is a very important document illustrating Japanese society and its metaphysical / mythological foundations which not only accepts suicide but in some way even encourages suicide as a convenient "way out".It's all just a game, let's do suicide, so we can stay connected to each other forever and will never hurt each other again. We will all be one.

Shinjuku Station in the evening rush hour. High school girls throng the packed platform, dominating with their raucous chatter, jangling bags and provocatively short skirts. As the commuter rapid approaches, something bizarre happens - 54 girls join hands and step reverentially on the platform edge. Given the title of the film, it is no big stretch to guess what happens next.A veteran detective (Ryo Ishibashi) and jaded younger colleague (Masatoshi Nagase) suspect a grand plot, but are thwarted in their attempts to investigate by weary seniors. Clues are supplied by The Bat, a more web-savvy mysterious informant. Can the detectives uncover the conspiracy and prevent more suicides? That is as much narrative analysis as the story can bear, as it veers off course in the second half into surrealism, MTV theatricals, and heavy-handed symbolism. "There is no suicide club" declares a juvenile voice on the phone, continually clearing its throat. Whether there is or isn't is a question never fully resolved.Don't be taken in by reviewers who tell you that you have to be Japanese to understand this film - my Japanese students and friends are as baffled by the story as anyone else. Sion's film never quite lives up to that opening sequence in Shinjuku Station, but it compels you to go with it to the end, and provides a few thrills along the way. It is a shame it does not all quite pull together. But there are enough digs at Japan's shallow celebrity culture, crippling generation gap, obsessive consumerism, and indeed freakishly high suicide rate to make this worth watching.In short, great visuals, shame about the script.