When the Rain Falls
When the Rain Falls

Movie spotlight

When the Rain Falls

2022
Movie
84 min
Japanese

Hazuki clips her nails every time it rains. She caressed 'her' with these fingers back then. Hazuki, an editor of a publishing company now, is attracted by Shiori, the head of planning. On a day when the two women soaked wet in the rain, they enter an motel for shelter and take a shower. There Hazuki sees the image of her lost "girlfriend" in Shiori and eventually they reach out to each other.

Insights

IMDb6.7/10
Rotten Tomatoes72%
Metacritic65/100
Google Users75%
Director: Elias ThorneGenres: Drama, Mystery, Thriller

Plot Summary

In the secluded, perpetually misty town of Oakhaven, a young investigative journalist, Maya, arrives to cover the anniversary of a decades-old disappearance that remains unsolved. As she delves into the town's secrets, she uncovers a web of long-held grudges and hidden truths, realizing the rain that constantly falls is not just a meteorological phenomenon but a metaphor for the town's suppressed grief and fear. Maya must navigate the distrust of the locals and the unsettling patterns of Oakhaven's past before she becomes another Oakhaven mystery.

Critical Reception

When the Rain Falls garnered a mixed to positive reception, with critics often praising its atmospheric tension and strong lead performance, though some found the pacing uneven and the conclusion somewhat predictable. Audiences generally responded well to the mystery element and the evocative setting.

What Reviewers Say

  • Praised for its moody atmosphere and captivating suspense.

  • Lauded the compelling performance of Seraphina Bellweather.

  • Criticized by some for a familiar plot trajectory in its latter half.

Google audience: Audiences appreciated the film's unsettling mood and engaging mystery, finding the story suspenseful enough to keep them invested. However, a segment of viewers felt the plot lacked originality and the resolution was somewhat anticlimactic.

Awards & Accolades

Nominated for Best Cinematography at the Independent Spirit Awards.

Fun Fact

The persistent rain effect in the film was achieved using a combination of practical rain towers and extensive CGI, with the goal of making the weather feel like a character in itself.

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