Cure (1997)
Kiyoshi Kurosawa's landmark Japanese horror-thriller follows a detective consumed by a string of eerily connected murders across Tokyo.
Cure - Movie Information
- Original Title: キュア
- Release Year: 1997
- Directed by: Kiyoshi Kurosawa
- Type: Movie
- Genres: Crime, Thriller, Horror, Mystery
- Age Rating (US): NR
- Runtime: 1h 52m
- Original Language: Japanese
- Spoken Languages: Japanese
- Release Date (Theatrical): December 27, 1997 (Japan), June 3, 2001 (United States - NR), November 10, 1999 (France - 12), April 3, 2025 (Italy), July 6, 2022 (South Korea - 15)
- Alternative Titles: Cura (ES), دواء (SA), درمان (IR), Leacul (RO), Cure (US), Исцеление (RU), Kyua (JP), A Cura (BR)
- Production Companies: Daiei Film, Twins Japan
- Production Countries: Japan
Cure - Plot
A detective starts spiraling out of control when a wave of gruesome murders with seemingly similar bizarre circumstances is sweeping Tokyo.
Cure - Trailer
Watch the official trailer and see the dread of Cure unfold before your eyes.
Madness. Terror. Murder.
Where to Watch Cure
Looking for where to watch Cure?
Compare all viewing options available in your region on JustWatch ↗
Cure - Cast & Crew
Director(s)
- Kiyoshi Kurosawa
Main Cast
- Koji Yakusho
- Masato Hagiwara
- Tsuyoshi Ujiki
- Anna Nakagawa
- Yukijiro Hotaru
- Yoriko Doguchi
- Denden
- Ren Osugi
- Masahiro Toda
- Misayo Haruki
Writers
- Kiyoshi Kurosawa
Producers
- Tetsuya Ikeda
- Satoshi Kanno
- Atsuyuki Shimoda
- Tsutomu Tsuchikawa
Cure - FAQs
What is the ending of Cure explained?
The ending of Cure is deliberately ambiguous. Detective Takabe kills the enigmatic Mamiya, yet the film's final scene suggests the hypnotic influence has spread — possibly to Takabe himself. Kurosawa leaves viewers unsettled, implying that the cycle of violence may never truly end, and that madness is quietly contagious.
Who are the main actors in Cure?
Cure features Koji Yakusho as weary detective Kenichi Takabe and Masato Hagiwara as the unsettling amnesiac Kunio Mamiya. The supporting cast includes Tsuyoshi Ujiki, Anna Nakagawa, Yukijiro Hotaru, Yoriko Doguchi, Denden, and Ren Osugi, all delivering quietly haunting performances.
How does hypnosis work in Cure?
In Cure, the mysterious Mamiya uses a form of mesmerism — often triggered by a flickering flame or repetitive questioning — to unlock a latent capacity for violence in ordinary people. He doesn't command them directly; he simply removes the psychological barriers that prevent them from acting on dark impulses.
Where can you stream Cure online?
You can stream Cure on the Criterion Channel. It's also available to rent or buy on Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, and Fandango At Home — so there are plenty of ways to catch this landmark of Japanese horror cinema.
Is Cure based on a true story or novel?
Cure is not based on a true story. Kiyoshi Kurosawa wrote the original screenplay himself, though the film draws on real psychological concepts like hypnosis and dissociation. Its themes of anonymous urban violence and eroded identity feel unnervingly plausible, which may explain why many viewers assume a factual basis.
When was Cure released?
Cure premiered in Japan on December 27, 1997. It reached the United States on June 3, 2001, and arrived in France in November 1999. The film has continued to receive new theatrical and home-media releases over the years, including in Italy in April 2025 and South Korea in July 2022.
How was Cure received by critics?
Cure is widely regarded as a masterpiece of Japanese horror and one of Kiyoshi Kurosawa's finest achievements. Critics praise its slow-burn dread, philosophical depth, and Koji Yakusho's magnetic lead performance. It holds a strong reputation on Rotten Tomatoes and is frequently cited as a defining work of 1990s world cinema.
What are some movies similar to Cure?
If Cure gripped you, try No Country for Old Men for similarly cold, inexplicable violence, or In the Valley of Elah for a detective's descent into moral ambiguity. Barbarian delivers modern slow-burn dread, while Hypnotic explores mind-control thriller territory. All share Cure's unsettling atmosphere and psychological edge.
More About Cure
Explore further details about Cure on these authoritative film databases.