Psychic Vision: Jagenrei (1988) Film Review – It’ll Be Alright on the Night

Posted on by Jim Cox

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Psychic Vision: Jaganrei is a 1988 Japanese faux-documentary/supernatural found footage horror film written by Chiaki Konaka and directed by Teruyoshi Ishii. Beginning his career in 1986 with the horror comedy short Daikanyama Wonderland Horror, Teruyoshi has since directed such films as the anthology horror Kuchisake-onna (1996) and action horror Viral Dead (2020), as well as worked on multiple live-action Tokusatsu TV shows such as Ultraman vs. Kong (1997) and Genseishin Justirisers (2004). Furthermore, Chiaki is notable for working as a writer for such works as Evil Dead Trap 2 (1992), Door III (1996), Serial Experiments Lain (1998), and Hellsing (2001), to name a few.

A TV reporter is covering an idol singer named Emi Kato. Emi and her staff prepare to promote her next tune. However, Kyoko discovers that the woman who composed the song died seven years prior.

Beginning as a fairly detailed backstage glimpse into the corporate side of idol culture, Psychic Vision: Jaganrei presents itself primarily as a serious behind-the-scenes documentary. The purposefully sluggish pacing, along with the highly technical aspects of music production, certainly reinforces an undeniable sense of pragmatism, lulling the audience into a false sense of security typical of standard documentaries. Yet, while this slow progression may be off-putting to some, the building narrative unquestionably draws the audience into the intriguing enigma surrounding the mysterious melody.

However, the gradual introduction of the film’s supernatural elements shifts this tone. Beginning with what might be mere coincidences, these paranormal events soon escalate in severity until the film’s explosive conclusion, delivering an intricately choreographed set piece that exceeds all expectations.

Being a product of its time, the visual aesthetics give the film the naturalistic elements of a piece of lost media. The dated fashion style, realistic video format, and documentary cinematography could easily convince those ill-informed into viewing it as real footage, similar to the BBC’s Ghostwatch (1992) incident. Additionally, all these elements are delivered with a certain charm that has aged like fine wine–further reinforcing the intended authenticity as time progresses.

Centred around our idol protagonist, played by actress/singer Emi Sato in a fictionalized version of herself, the film does a fantastic job of portraying much of the unseen work in music production. While Emi portrays herself as slightly naive and inexperienced, her enthusiasm and professionalism undoubtedly shine through. Utilizing her knowledge of working in both fields, her performance further drives home the intended verisimilitude of her role as an idol.

While only playing a minor role, Psychic Vision: Jaganrei contains some fairly impressive practical special effects. Implemented in the final scene, their unexpected inclusion certainly compounds their effectiveness–delivering an impressively gruesome piece of physical body horror.

As an indisputable representation of the allure of the faux-documentary/found footage genre, Psychic Vision: Jaganrei easily beguiles its audience into suppressing the knowledge that the footage is, in fact, completely staged from the very beginning. With its intentionally slow release of horror elements, practical cinematography, and fantastic performances, the film is a superlative experience that fully embraces its authenticity to produce an undeniably alluring supernatural mystery that’s sure to draw you in until the very end.

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