THE INFINITE ANOMALY

Genki Kawamura's Exit 8 transforms a viral video game into a philosophical exploration of existential absurdity

- Story by THANA BOONLERT

In Exit 8, Kawamura revisits this familial tension in a different setting.

Inspired by the titular video game, Exit 8 explores existential struggle in a meaningless world. And the solution to the absurd may lie in passing the torch to the next generation.

The film opens by plunging viewers into an anonymous character, later known as the Lost Man (Kazunari Ninomiya), who commutes to work by underground train. He wears earphones to shut out noise. Like other passengers, he intentionally ignores a man who scolds a young mother and her crying baby. He also declines an incoming call from his ex-girlfriend (Nana Komatsu).

While getting off the train and departing for an exit, he picks up the call of his ex-girlfriend and news of her pregnancy comes as a shock. Stuck at hospital, she feels unsure about keeping the baby. As poor signal disrupts their conversation, a shift in the camera's angle allows viewers to see the protagonist for the first time. Unable to make a decision, the Lost Man finds himself trapped in the metro subway. To find a way out, he must follow instructions on the wall.

Identify an anomaly and turn back. If all seems normal, move on. If you miss something, you will restart.