Real-Life Tsunami Intensity 500 Times Greater Than Game Depiction: Insights from The Exit 8

On August 29, the film adaptation of the indie game “Exit 8,” a live-action horror movie, premiered in Japanese cinemas. The release was initially successful at the box office, yet it sparked some debate in Japan due to a certain scene depicting a tsunami and the film studio’s delayed action in warning viewers about this potentially distressing content.

“Exit 8,” the game, launched on Steam in November 2023, is a first-person puzzle experience situated in the looping corridors of a Japanese subway station. Players start at Exit 0 and aim to reach Exit 8 by observing for anomalies; if anything unusual is spotted, they must turn around, otherwise, they proceed forward. Correct decisions increase the exit number by one, while incorrect ones reset it to zero. Known for its spooky ambiance and sudden frights, the game quickly became popular among players and streamers, leading to its availability on several platforms, including a VR adaptation.

In the “Exit 8” movie, the game’s central themes are transformed into a psychological horror narrative. Kazunari Ninomiya stars as the protagonist, an asthmatic man caught in the mundanity of his daily subway commutes and grappling with the new responsibilities of fatherhood. Mirroring the game, Ninomiya’s character is ensnared in the repetitive subway environment, needing to identify anomalies to escape. The film also explores societal issues such as bystander indifference, the dissociation from reality, and the distractions caused by smartphones.

The film maintains a tense atmosphere, almost entirely set within the restrictive confines of the subway station, mirroring the game’s setting with elements like NPC office workers, promotional posters, and pristine white tiled walls. While some anomalies from the game appear in the movie, others are newly introduced, including a nod to fans of “Parasite Eve.”

On September 1, the production team posted a warning on the film’s official X account about scenes that might trigger traumatic memories of natural disasters, specifically tsunamis. This led to mixed reactions: some appreciated the warning, while others critiqued its tardiness, arguing it should have been shared on the film’s release date. Comments from potential viewers on platforms like Yahoo! Japan/J-CAST highlighted these concerns.

Discussions also arose about whether the representation of the tsunami was intense enough to necessitate a warning, given the game’s mild depiction of rising waters and the film’s general audience rating by Japan’s Eirin. In the game, a notable anomaly features a blood-red tide chasing the player, reminiscent of “The Shining.” However, according to online discussions, the movie portrays this with a more realistic and impactful depiction.

Having watched the movie myself, I can verify that the tsunami scene is depicted with greater realism and intensity than in the game. The flood is muddy brown, quickly overwhelming a young boy in the subway, with the protagonist’s desperate attempts to save him captured in harrowing first-person visuals. The boy is eventually left in a fetal position amidst the wreckage, adding to the scene’s emotional depth.

“Exit 8” has been extensively promoted in Japan and achieved the highest opening weekend revenue for a live-action film in the country this year, as reported by Anime News Network. Kazunari Ninomiya’s involvement has drawn significant attention due to his previous fame with the boyband Arashi, attracting a broader audience and intensifying the scrutiny over the controversial tsunami scene.

“Exit 8” is currently being shown in Japanese cinemas and has been featured at various international film festivals, including Cannes. With plans for a staggered global release, Neon has secured the rights for North America, targeting an early 2026 release.

Verity Townsend, a freelance writer based in Japan, has significant experience as an editor, contributor, and translator for the game news site Automaton West, and has written about Japanese culture and films for various outlets.