The Third Murder

2017, 124 Minutes, DCP
Japan

Director: Hirokazu Kore-eda

From Palme d’Or-winning director Hirokazu Kore-eda comes this courtroom mystery about a lawyer struggling to find the truth behind the enigmatic testimony of a murder suspect while questioning his own faith in the law.

Leading attorney Shigemori takes on the defence of murder-robbery suspect Misumi who served jail time for another murder 30 years ago. Shigemori’s chances of winning the case seem low – his client freely admits his guilt, despite facing the death penalty if he is convicted. As he digs deeper into the case, as he hears the testimonies of the victim’s family and Misumi himself, the once confident Shigemori begins to doubt whether his client is the murderer after all.

 

NYT CRITIC’S PICK:
“Gripping… With a quiet, adamantly moral sensibility and unassuming yet exacting technique, [Kore-eda] tells seemingly small stories that grow deeper and more emotionally complex one nuance at a time.” — Manohla Dargis, New York Times

“A complex and engrossing examination of truth.” — Deborah Young, Hollywood Reporter

“Sleek and suspenseful, deceptive and profound, The Third Murder is an artful addition to the canon of modern-day crime drama…” — Michael Leader, Sight & Sound

 

OFFICIAL SELECTION:
Venice Film Festival
Toronto International Film Festival