Bright Future

An enchantingly cryptic, ethereally photographed slice of somber surrealism that should definitely appeal to fans of David Lynch and Luis Buñuel.

Casts its spell by drawing out the horror of everyday existence bit by bit, and then tossing in some otherworldly weirdness that makes the hair on the back of your neck try to run for cover.

The movie has a curious and cumulative power.

Kurosawa strolls through his narrative with relaxed confidence, suggesting apocalyptic significances without assuring us that he has anything particular on his mind.

Bright is pretty to look at, but it's a slow-moving, meandering work that isn't as complex or mysterious as it appears.

But save for the mesmerizing final tracking shot, Bright Future just mopes around aimlessly, hoping that its vague themes will eventually congeal into something profound.

Occupies wavelengths too remote to be tuned in by audiences other than diehard Asian esoterica enthusiasts.