20 Awesome J-Horror Movies Every Horror Fan Should See
4. Onibaba
Plot: A supernatural drama concerning two women who murder samurai and sell their belongings for money. One of them starts an affair with their neighbour and the other is overcome with jealousy.
Onibaba is an absolute classic of Japanese cinema. Directed to atmospheric, visually stunning perfection by Kaneto Shindo (who also made Kuroneko), Onibaba is also an erotic, powerful drama that's full of heightened emotional intensity and great character moments. All around, it's a masterful bit of writing as well as a visual treat.
It's also a very interesting combo of genres, with elements of erotic thriller, psychological drama and horror combining into one endlessly compelling and always haunting whole.
Due to this mixture of elements it's not a straightforward horror film, but it certainly gets pretty horrifying at times. If the scenes involving a certain terrifying mask don't frighten you then you truly have nerves of steel.
It ends a little too abruptly, but other than that it's a brilliant and unmissable classic.