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Cloud, the latest genre-bending crime thriller from Japanese auteur Kiyoshi Kurosawa (Cure, Pulse), has secured U.S. distribution via Sideshow and Janus Films for a summer release, IndieWire reveals exclusively today.
Starring Masaki Suda, Kotone Furukawa and Daiken Okudaira, Cloud follows:
Yoshii, a young man who resells goods online, finds himself at the center of a series of mysterious events that put his life at risk.
Following its world premiere at Venice International Film Festival and U.S. premiere at Fantastic Fest, Cloud was selected as Japan’s entry for best international film for this year’s Academy Awards, but was not nominated.
In a statement, the ever-eloquent Kurosawa expanded on the themes of Cloud:
“In the obscure corners of modern-day Japan, violent incidents sometimes occur for seemingly no reason whatsoever. When the causes are investigated, it becomes apparent that a system of sorts exists through which petty grudges and frustrations are accumulated and blown out of proportion by the internet […]
I wondered if such a phenomenon would serve as subject matter for an action film, and began developing this project. Its protagonist is an extremely average man who, through his small-time moneymaking schemes, desires to gain even the slightest advantage over others. In this story, he carelessly incurs the ire of those around him, and ultimately finds himself dragged into a deadly battle with his life on the line.”
Sideshow and Janus Films expressed their excitement for the acquisition:
‘Cloud’ is a wildly entertaining film about our anonymous digital existence that transforms itself into a vengeance driven action flick that only Kiyoshi Kurosawa could have dreamed up […] We are proud to work with Nikkatsu to bring what we consider one of Kurosawa’s best films to American audiences this summer.
Cloud was one of three Kurosawa efforts released last year, alongside the existentially terrifying short Chime (one of FANGORIA’s Best Of 2024), and a French-language remake of his 1998 crime drama Serpent’s Path.
Look out for Cloud at a theater near you this summer. For more 2025 horror news, read our rundown of next year’s most anticipated releases.
