Neu Mirrors is a 2024 Japanese short horror film written and directed by Keishi Kondo. The film is a direct sequel to Keishi’s 2022 feature-length horror drama New Religion (2022), picking up moments after its explosive conclusion.
There remain stories yet to be told after New Religion. It begins with Mizuki waking up in a hotel room that she doesn’t know.
Despite being only 30 minutes long, Neu Mirrors effectively captures the themes explored in New Religion within a more confined setting. The examination of alienation from society, the distortion of one’s perception of reality, and the loss of individuality condenses the key concepts of its predecessor into a faster-paced, yet intentionally ambiguous narrative.
Featuring a similarly grand display of cinematography as its prequel, Neu Mirrors is an astounding exhibition of visual flair. The use of flipped perspectives and painstakingly slow, gradual zooms interjects a strong sense of unease throughout its environment, further cementing its themes of alienation. Additionally, the extensive use of pans, along with skillful editing, creates seamless transitions between cuts, compounding the warping of reality. The film employs fantastically colored lighting that drenches scenes in an ominous atmosphere. However, while its prequel primarily utilized vivid crimson reds, Neu Mirrors invigorates this with the introduction of deep shades of blue as a visual antithesis.
Renowned actress Saori delivers an excellent performance as the film’s protagonist, Mizuki, who provides an extremely vivid depiction of gradual personal dilapidation. Her cold, professional demeanor at the film’s start soon chips, releasing a torrent of isolated deindividuation. Moreover, the film also featured several recurring characters, such as Oka, played by Satoshi Oka, and Aizawa, played by Daiki Nunami, who only have a small role in the short–yet give a firmer connection to the interlinked narratives.
Elevating the incredible visuals and fantastic performances is an exceedingly imposing score. Consisting of a plethora of resonating industrial noise, this already high-intensity audio is purposely overdriven to create an even more distorted effect–exacerbating the impact of both the audio and visuals. However, when this auditory barrage lessens in vigor and utilities a lack of score, the deafening silence that it creates holds a similar level of vehemence upon the audience.
A visually delectable ethereal dreamscape, Neu Mirrors is a stunning descent into dissociation and depersonalization that will linger with the audience long after the credits roll. With its equivocal narrative, masterful visual design, and resonating score, the short is a fantastic companion to Keishi’s feature-length title, further building upon the meticulously crafted characters and universe these narratives take place.
New Religion (2022)/Neu Mirrors (2024) is available to purchase on Blu-ray from Third Window Films from March 10.
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Hey there, I’m Jim and I’m located in London, UK. I am a Writer and Managing Director here at Grimoire of Horror. A lifelong love of horror and writing has led me down this rabbit hole, allowing me to meet many amazing people and experience some truly original artwork. I specialise in world cinema, manga/graphic novels, and video games but will sometime traverse into the unknown in search of adventure.