The Third Murder
The Third Murder

Movie spotlight

The Third Murder

2017
Movie
125 min
Japanese

A lawyer tasked with defending a robbery-and-murder suspect begins developing doubts about what truly happened.

Insights

IMDb7.0/10
Rotten Tomatoes85%
Metacritic76/100
Google Users89%
Director: Hirokazu Kore-edaGenres: Crime, Drama

Plot Summary

A defense lawyer takes on a new client accused of murder, but the man confesses to the crime. As the lawyer digs deeper, he uncovers discrepancies and secrets that challenge his belief in his client's guilt. The investigation becomes a labyrinth of moral ambiguity, forcing the lawyer to confront the true nature of justice and truth.

Critical Reception

The Third Murder received critical acclaim for its intricate plotting, stellar performances, and profound exploration of ethical dilemmas. Critics praised Kore-eda's masterful direction in weaving a complex legal drama that questions the reliability of memory and the pursuit of justice.

What Reviewers Say

  • Praise for the film's sophisticated and thought-provoking narrative structure.

  • Appreciation for the nuanced performances, particularly from the lead actors.

  • Recognition of Kore-eda's skilled direction in creating a compelling legal thriller.

Google audience: Audience reviews highlight the film's intellectual depth and compelling mystery. Many viewers appreciated the moral complexity and the performances, finding it a deeply engaging and well-crafted drama.

Awards & Accolades

Nominated for Best Film at the 42nd Japan Academy Film Awards.

Fun Fact

Director Hirokazu Kore-eda intentionally made the film's courtroom scenes feel claustrophobic and intense to reflect the psychological pressure on the characters.

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My Review

TMDB Reviews

2 reviews
Alunauwie

Alunauwie

The Third Murder explores a complex murder case through the eyes of legal professionals, questioning truth, justice, and the integrity of the system. While the film offers powerful performances and strong cinematography, its slow pacing and...

jessetaylor

jessetaylor

A very good courtroom procedural with a brilliantly complex performance from the always great Kōji Yakusho. Still, this is a major change of pace from Koreeda and I don't know that I'm a fan of the new style. He does familial drama best and...

Video Reviews

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