‘Kokurojo’ Teaser Trailer: Kiyoshi Kurosawa’s Follow-Up To ‘Cloud’ Is A Feudal-Era Samurai Mystery

Veteran Japanese filmmaker Kiyoshi Kurosawa is back after releasing “Cloud,” “The Serpent’s Path,” and his psychological horror short “Chime” back in 2024. His next pic is based on the 2021 novel (winner of 12th Futaro Yamada Award and the 166th Naoki Prize) penned by Honobu Yonezawa, “Kokurojo” (aka, “Black Prison Castle”), which takes place during the feudal era of Japan, the time of the samurai, as there is plenty of political and civil strife, making it a great time to set a mystery tale.

A brief teaser trailer for the samurai thriller has made its way online and showcases some impressive visuals and costumes, which are expected from the work of Kurosawa.

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The majority of the ensemble cast consists of actors such as Masahiro Motoki, Masaki Suda, Yuriko Yoshitaka, Munetaka Aoki, Ryota Miyadate, Tasuku Emoto, and Joe Odagiri.

The Film Stage featured the following logline for the mystery samurai film:

Araki Murashige (Motoki) rebels against the tyrannical methods of Oda Nobunaga and launches a siege. The castle is surrounded by Oda’s forces, leaving him isolated and helpless. While keeping the hotheaded retainers in check, Murashige struggles to protect the castle and its people with the emotional support of his wife, Chiyoho (Yoshitaka). One day, a young boy is murdered within the castle. After that, a series of mysterious incidents occur. The suspect is a retainer or family member inside the castle, which has become a locked room. Outside the castle are enemy forces. Inside the castle are traitors. As everyone becomes increasingly suspicious, Murashige attempts to solve the mystery with the help of Kuroda Kanbei (Suda), a dangerous and brilliant military strategist imprisoned in prison. What is the shocking truth behind the incident?

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Check out a brief teaser trailer for “Kokurojo” below, including a poster featuring the main cast. We’re uncertain when exactly the new Kurosawa film will be screening in North America or Europe, but future film festivals this year may end up a good bet to make, as that information has yet to be made available.