Prey (1979)
A raw, uncompromising Japanese drama from director Kōji Wakamatsu about music, alienation, and the violence born from a world that has lost its soul.
Prey - Movie Information
- Original Title: 餌食
- Release Year: 1979
- Directed by: Kōji Wakamatsu
- Type: Movie
- Genres: Drama
- Runtime: 1h 20m
- Original Language: Japanese
- Spoken Languages: Japanese, English
- Release Date (Theatrical): June 23, 1979 (Japan)
- Alternative Titles: Ejiki (JP)
- Production Companies: Shishi Production
- Production Countries: Japan
Prey - Plot
A rock singer who has returned to the U.S. approaches his former musician friends with the soulful sound of reggae that he encountered during his stay in the U.S. However, his friends lost their old energy and were busy chasing only the songs that would sell, and did not pay attention to reggae. Eventually, the lonely and violent rock singer turns to mass indiscriminate murder out of repugnance to the blurred times and humanity.
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Prey - Cast & Crew
Director(s)
- Kōji Wakamatsu
Main Cast
- Yuya Uchida
- Jun Tatara
- Akira Miyata
- Yoko Kurita
- Ayako Mizushima
- Takashi Shikauchi
- Ryoichi Kusanagi
- Naoki Hongo
- Gajirō Satō
- Takeshi Sasaki
Writers
- Jun Takada
- Kazuo Komizu
- Banmei Takahashi
- Haruhiko Arai
- Hiroshi Saitou
Prey - FAQs
What is Prey (1979) about?
Prey follows a rock singer who returns from the United States deeply moved by reggae music, only to find his former bandmates consumed by commercial ambitions. Rejected and increasingly isolated, his disillusionment with a hollow, profit-driven world curdles into violent fury, culminating in a spree of indiscriminate killing.
Who directed Prey (1979)?
Prey was directed by Kōji Wakamatsu, one of Japan's most provocative and politically charged filmmakers. Known for his raw, confrontational style, Wakamatsu used the film to channel his critiques of commercialism, social conformity, and the spiritual emptiness he saw spreading through late-1970s Japanese culture.
Who are the main actors in Prey?
The film stars Yuya Uchida in the lead role, supported by Jun Tatara, Akira Miyata, Yoko Kurita, Ayako Mizushima, Takashi Shikauchi, Ryoichi Kusanagi, Naoki Hongo, Gajirō Satō, and Takeshi Sasaki. Uchida, a real-life rock musician, brings an authenticity to the role that gives the film much of its raw energy.
What role does reggae music play in Prey?
Reggae is the film's emotional and thematic heartbeat. The protagonist discovers it during his time in the United States and sees it as something soulful and genuine — a stark contrast to the hollow, commercially driven music his friends now pursue. His inability to share that passion becomes a symbol of his deeper alienation.
When was Prey released?
Prey was released in Japan on June 23, 1979. The film is also known by its Japanese transliteration Ejiki and its original Japanese title 餌食, meaning roughly 'prey' or 'victim,' which speaks directly to the film's themes of exploitation and social predation.
Is Prey (1979) based on a true story?
Prey is not based on a specific true story, but it draws heavily from the cultural tensions of late-1970s Japan. Wakamatsu channeled real anxieties about commercialism, artistic compromise, and social alienation into the narrative. The lead actor Yuya Uchida was himself a genuine rock musician, lending the film a grounded, autobiographical texture.
What genre is Prey (1979)?
Prey is classified as a drama, though it carries strong undercurrents of social critique and psychological intensity typical of Wakamatsu's work. It blends character study with a raw, almost documentary aesthetic, exploring themes of artistic integrity, alienation, and the violence that can erupt when an individual feels utterly rejected by society.
How long is Prey (1979)?
Prey runs for 80 minutes. That tight runtime is very much in keeping with Wakamatsu's filmmaking philosophy — lean, uncompromising, and without a wasted moment. The brevity actually intensifies the film's sense of mounting dread, giving it the feel of a pressure cooker building steadily toward an inevitable explosion.
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