In a future world, young people are increasingly becoming addicted to an illegal (and potentially deadly) battle simulation game called Avalon. When Ash, a star player, hears of rumors that a more advanced level of the game exists somewhere, she gives up her loner ways and joins a gang of explorers. Even if she finds the gateway to the next level, will she ever be able to come back to reality?
Direction
Oshii's obsessive slow-motion dogs return, somehow essential
Cinematography
Sepia dystopia that makes brown look dangerously beautiful
Score
Kenji Kawai's choral techno haunts your nervous system
Director
Mamoru Oshii
Trivia, insights & behind the scenes
Oshii shot this entirely in Poland to capture that specific post-Soviet decay aesthetic—no sets, just real crumbling locations.
JP
PL
