Following some trauma in her past that has since been repressed, a young woman is trying to recover her memories with the help of a psychiatrist. During her hypnosis sessions, she repeats the name "Tomie" but is unable to recall where she knows it from. Meanwhile, a police detective is investigating a string of brutal murders, where he also runs across the name "Tomie." How are the two connected?
Acting
Miho Kanno's Tomie—ethereal, cruel, unforgettable.
Practical Effects
Gooey regeneration scenes that'll ruin your appetite.
Writing
Junji Ito's manga DNA: gorgeous women, cosmic dread, no explanations.
Director
Ataru Oikawa
Trivia, insights & behind the scenes
Tomie launched Junji Ito's manga career in 1987; this first film adaptation kicked off eight sequels and cemented her as J-horror's eternal femme fatale.
Miho Kanno was 21 playing immortal temptation; she'd later win Japan Academy Prize for completely different roles, proving Tomie's curse didn't stick to her.
JP
