Ghost Killer

A fight at the top of the film leaves three men dead, and the survivor/killer himself later shot dead. The assassin leaves the bullet casing on the ground, which is picked up by Fumika (Akari Takaishi) after a bad day and date. Her night doesn’t improve when she is possessed by the dead assassin Kudo (Masanori Mimoto) whose spirit is encased in the bullet casing.

Kudo has his own issues to sort out and after a period of getting used to his ability to possess her Fumika sort of warms to his character. And it’s not long before Fumika is involved with a number of gangs as Kudo sets about revenge after convincing her that it is the only way for him to move on, he needs her body and mind for that. Complicating matters is Kudo’s tense relationship with his assassin colleague and protege Toshihisa Kagehara (Mario Kuroba) who senses that Fumika might be more than she seems.

Heavy on the action and light of deep characterisation, though enough to create an engagement with them, Ghost Killer is a good solid thriller. As a comedy it can be laboured at times however Takaishi and Mimoto have some terrific exchanges and banter.

What emerges as they get the feel of each other is respect and that the possession takes on more of a voluntary merger that has mutual benefits. Also kudos to Takaishi who switches from her natural nervous persona to expert fighter and killer without a ripple.

The film has its darker elements as director Kensuke Sonomura and writer Yugo Sakamoto delve into abusive relationships, Fumika’s friend Maho (Ayaka Higashino) is beaten by her boyfriend and an evil gang who kidnap and drug women to rape them.

That said the actions scenes are terrific both with the hand-to-hand combat and gun play. And for all the violence and bloodshed the relationship that develops between Kudo and Fumika has a strange playfulness about it.

Ghost Killer is on UK and Irish digital platforms 6 April.