The Killing Game
殺しのゲーム
Synopsis
A middle-aged office worker, Masao Okada (Eiji Okada), discovers that his worsening illness is terminal cancer. Shaken and resigned, he meets a mysterious man, Suzuki (Haruo Tanaka), who knows every detail of his life. Also a dying patient, Suzuki proposes a “game”: two men with little time left will live in suspense, wondering when and how the other might kill, using paranoia as a way to escape the greater fear of death. Directed by Yasuharu Hasebe and based on a story by Kyotaro Nishimura, this short TV film from "Horror Theater Unbalance" blends psychological dread with social reflection. Alongside Okada’s fragile romance with nurse Akiko (Masumi Harukawa), the story introduces a nihilistic subplot where a reckless young couple (Renji Ishibashi among them) engage in a fatal dare that ends in self-destruction — echoing the era’s sense of emptiness and contrasting Okada’s struggle to find meaning in the face of death.
Part of the Horror Theater Unbalance
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Key Information & Fast Facts
- Director
- Yasuharu Hasebe
- Screenplay & Story
- Bunzô Wakatsuki
- Original Title
- 殺しのゲーム
- Country of Origin
- Japan
- Spoken Languages
- Japanese
- Runtime
- Unknown
Creative Leadership & Key Crew
Yasuharu Hasebe
Bunzô Wakatsuki
Department Leadership Roster
Bunzô Wakatsuki
Writer
Yasuharu Hasebe
Director
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Frequently Asked Questions About The Killing Game
Quick factual answers about cast, synopsis, director, box office, and release information.
What is The Killing Game about?
A middle-aged office worker, Masao Okada (Eiji Okada), discovers that his worsening illness is terminal cancer. Shaken and resigned, he meets a mysterious man, Suzuki (Haruo Tanaka), who knows every detail of his life. Also a dying patient, Suzuki proposes a “game”: two men with little time left will live in suspense, wondering when and how the other might kill, using paranoia as a way to escape the greater fear of death. Directed by Yasuharu Hasebe and based on a story by Kyotaro Nishimura, this short TV film from "Horror Theater Unbalance" blends psychological dread with social reflection. Alongside Okada’s fragile romance with nurse Akiko (Masumi Harukawa), the story introduces a nihilistic subplot where a reckless young couple (Renji Ishibashi among them) engage in a fatal dare that ends in self-destruction — echoing the era’s sense of emptiness and contrasting Okada’s struggle to find meaning in the face of death.
Who directed The Killing Game?
The Killing Game was directed by Yasuharu Hasebe.
Who stars in The Killing Game?
The principal cast of The Killing Game includes Eiji Okada, Haruo Tanaka, Masumi Harukawa, Renji Ishibashi, Junji Masuda.
When was The Killing Game released and how long is it?
The Killing Game was released in 1973 with a total runtime of Unknown.