The Third Murder

"Everyone has a truth to want to believe."

2017 2h 5m JA

👍

6.6

SOLID

★6.6TMDB · 314

DramaMysteryCrime

Synopsis

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

“Everyone has a truth to want to believe.”

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Cast

Masaharu Fukuyama
Tomoaki Shigemori
Koji Yakusho
Takashi Misumi
Suzu Hirose
Sakie Yamanaka
Shinnosuke Mitsushima
Teru Kawashima
Mikako Ichikawa
Itsuki Shinohara
Izumi Matsuoka
Akiko Hattori
Aju Makita
Yuka Shigemori
Tōru Shinagawa
Watanabe

Credits

Behind the camera

Director: Hirokazu Kore-eda
Writers: Hirokazu Kore-eda
Languages: Japanese
Countries: Japan

Want more? Switch to Cinephile mode in the header for DP, composer, budget, box office, production companies, keywords, and release history.

Did you know?

Fun facts 🍿

1 / 7

ERA

Did you know

Released 9 years ago.

MoodPlayr · trivia#01

2 / 7

DIRECTOR

Did you know

Directed by Hirokazu Kore-eda, shot by Mikiya Takimoto. Note their partnership — DPs and directors often return to each other across a career.

MoodPlayr · trivia#02

3 / 7

DIRECTOR

Did you know

Original score by Ludovico Einaudi. Worth a dedicated listen after — most great films lose half their impact without the score.

MoodPlayr · trivia#03

4 / 7

DIRECTOR

Did you know

Editor Hirokazu Kore-eda shaped the rhythm. On an edit-heavy film, the editor does more to control your pulse than the director.

MoodPlayr · trivia#04

5 / 7

CAST

Did you know

Masaharu Fukuyama and Koji Yakusho and Suzu Hirose carry the top of the cast.

MoodPlayr · trivia#05

6 / 7

FACT

Did you know

Marketing tagline: "Everyone has a truth to want to believe.".

MoodPlayr · trivia#06

7 / 7

WILD

Did you know

IMDB entry: tt6410564 — still the authoritative cross-reference for credits and trivia.

MoodPlayr · trivia#07

Cinephile deep dive

The take

Hirokazu Kore-eda directs. Mikiya Takimoto behind the camera. Ludovico Einaudi scores. Hirokazu Kore-eda cuts. Produced in Japan. Dialogue in Japanese.

Trivia

Things worth knowing

1Released 9 years ago.
2Directed by Hirokazu Kore-eda, shot by Mikiya Takimoto. Note their partnership — DPs and directors often return to each other across a career.
3Original score by Ludovico Einaudi. Worth a dedicated listen after — most great films lose half their impact without the score.
4Editor Hirokazu Kore-eda shaped the rhythm. On an edit-heavy film, the editor does more to control your pulse than the director.
5Masaharu Fukuyama and Koji Yakusho and Suzu Hirose carry the top of the cast.
6Marketing tagline: "Everyone has a truth to want to believe.".
7IMDB entry: tt6410564 — still the authoritative cross-reference for credits and trivia.
8Classified under 14 themes, including "death penalty", "japan", "confession", "suspicion of murder".

The technical file

Cinematography: Mikiya Takimoto
Original score: Ludovico Einaudi
Editing: Hirokazu Kore-eda
Production design: Yohei Taneda
Costume design: Kazuko Kurosawa
Makeup / hair: Katsuhiko Yuhmi
Runtime: 125 min · 2h 5m
Aspect ratio (typical): 1.37:1 (Academy)
Status: Released
Original language: JA
Certification (US): R
IMDB: The Third Murder (2017)

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Hirokazu Kore-eda

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Community reviews

What people are saying

jessetaylor2017-09-15
★ 7/10
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 I hope he returns to form on his next feature.
Alunauwie2025-09-17
★ 7/10
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 unresolved subplots may leave viewers with lingering questions. It ultimately highlights the immense responsibility legal authorities bear, as their choices can determine life or death. Read the full review here: (Indonesian version : alunauwie.com)