Erica 38 (2019)
A gripping Japanese crime drama about a master fraudster whose carefully constructed world of lies begins to unravel from within.
Erica 38 - Movie Information
- Original Title: エリカ38
- Release Year: 2019
- Directed by: Yûichi Hibi
- Type: Movie
- Genres: Crime, Drama
- Runtime: 1h 44m
- Original Language: Japanese
- Spoken Languages: Japanese, Thai, English
- Release Date (Theatrical): June 7, 2019 (Japan)
- Alternative Titles: Erika 38 (JP)
- Production Companies: EXCELLING, Yoshimoto Kogyo
- Production Countries: Japan, Thailand
Erica 38 - Plot
Satoko Watabe, who calls herself Erica was organizing business support meetings, and collecting a fortune with a fictional investment story, under the order of her lover Ikuo Hirasawa. But she finds out that Hirasawa was actually dating multiple women and was betraying her. Once she cuts contact with Hirasawa, she seduces a rich old man, and obtains a luxurious house. She invites her mother who is in a care home to come live with her, and starts her own fictional "business support" sessions to defraud people. During her visit to Thailand, she meets a young man Porche. Erica falls in love, and enjoys her honeymoon. But the police were looming right around the corner...
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Erica 38 - Cast & Crew
Director(s)
- Yûichi Hibi
Main Cast
- Miyoko Asada
- Kirin Kiki
- Takehiro Hira
- Juri Manase
- Shunsuke Kubozuka
- Hajime Yamazaki
- Fujita Okamoto
Writers
- Yûichi Hibi
Producers
- Kazuyoshi Okuyama
Erica 38 - FAQs
Is Erica 38 based on a true story?
Yes, Erica 38 is inspired by a real Japanese fraud case. The story draws from the crimes of a woman who posed under a false identity to run elaborate investment scams, seducing wealthy men and deceiving victims across Japan and abroad before ultimately being caught by authorities.
Who plays Erica in the film Erica 38?
Miyoko Asada takes on the lead role of Erica, whose real name is Satoko Watabe. Her performance anchors the film, portraying a woman who shifts seamlessly between vulnerability and cold manipulation as she orchestrates a series of increasingly bold cons.
What is Erica 38 about?
Erica 38 follows Satoko Watabe, who calls herself Erica, a skilled fraudster running fake investment schemes under her lover's direction. After discovering his betrayal, she strikes out on her own, seducing a wealthy man, defrauding new victims, and falling for a young man in Thailand — all while the police close in.
Who directed Erica 38?
Erica 38 was directed by Yûichi Hibi, who also wrote the screenplay. Hibi crafts a character-driven crime drama that focuses less on action and more on the psychological portrait of a woman navigating deception, loneliness, and an unexpected capacity for genuine emotion.
What genre is Erica 38?
Erica 38 falls squarely into the Crime and Drama genres. It blends the mechanics of a fraud thriller with an intimate character study, exploring how a woman constructs and inhabits a false identity while managing real emotional entanglements alongside her criminal enterprise.
When was Erica 38 released in Japan?
Erica 38 was released in Japan on June 7, 2019. The film is a Japanese production shot across Japan and Thailand, and it received its theatrical debut in its home country before gaining attention among international fans of Japanese crime cinema.
How long is the film Erica 38?
Erica 38 runs for 1 hour and 44 minutes. The runtime gives the film enough space to develop Erica's layered character and the web of relationships she builds and exploits, without overstaying its welcome as a tightly focused crime drama.
What are some movies similar to Erica 38?
If you enjoyed Erica 38, you might also like Mystery (2012), Sunflower (2006), Crime and Punishment (1983), Made in Hong Kong (1997), and Òlòtūré (2019). These films share similar themes of moral ambiguity, crime, and complex characters navigating the edges of society.
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