Edogawa Ranpo ryôki-kan: Yaneura no sanposha

Decidedly odd, this 1923 set movie begins slowly with the man of the title peering from his enclosed upper space at those approaching from without and those dwelling below. At first this looks like being an unusual but fairly predictable 'pink' but when killing joins sex on the menu and the watcher joins the watched this turns a little more hard edged. Slightly confusing at the start, with a lot of black screen and changing faces but soon we are down to the main protagonists and there is little room for ambiguity. The dramatic ending gives explanation for the 1923 setting and concludes what in the end is an erotic and powerful exploration of human nature's darker side. Not without faults but well worth a watch.