Family of Strangers

2019 1h 57m JA

🙌

7.6

BANGER

⭐

6.3

IMDB

★7.6TMDB · 10★6.3IMDB · 286

Drama

Synopsis

Spoiler shield

Three patients of different backgrounds, illnesses and stages are being treated at a psychiatric clinic in Nagano Prefecture. Their cases range from the criminal to merely asocial. That should be that, but soon matters take a darker turn when a corpse turns up and a murder has occurred. The culprit fingered is one of the patients.

“Some stories are better left unspoiled.”

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Cast

Nana Komatsu
Miss Yuki
Tsurube Shofukutei
Hidemaru Kajiki
Go Ayano
Mr. Chu
Ryota Bando
Shohachi Marui
Kami Hiraiwa
Kimo
Toshiki Ayata
Murakami
Yoshiyuki Morishita
Dabinchi
Shingo Mizusawa
Hakase

Credits

Behind the camera

Director: Hideyuki Hirayama
Writers: Hideyuki Hirayama
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 7 years ago.

MoodPlayr · trivia#01

2 / 7

DIRECTOR

Did you know

Directed by Hideyuki Hirayama, shot by Kōzō Shibazaki. 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 Goro Yasukawa. 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 Chieko Suzaki 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

Nana Komatsu and Tsurube Shofukutei and Go Ayano carry the top of the cast.

MoodPlayr · trivia#05

6 / 7

WILD

Did you know

IMDB entry: tt9721798 — still the authoritative cross-reference for credits and trivia.

MoodPlayr · trivia#06

7 / 7

WILD

Did you know

Only 10 TMDB ratings — you're getting ahead of the curve on this one.

MoodPlayr · trivia#07

Cinephile deep dive

The take

Hideyuki Hirayama directs. Kōzō Shibazaki behind the camera. Goro Yasukawa scores. Chieko Suzaki cuts. Produced in Japan. Dialogue in Japanese.

Trivia

Things worth knowing

1Released 7 years ago.
2Directed by Hideyuki Hirayama, shot by Kōzō Shibazaki. Note their partnership — DPs and directors often return to each other across a career.
3Original score by Goro Yasukawa. Worth a dedicated listen after — most great films lose half their impact without the score.
4Editor Chieko Suzaki shaped the rhythm. On an edit-heavy film, the editor does more to control your pulse than the director.
5Nana Komatsu and Tsurube Shofukutei and Go Ayano carry the top of the cast.
6IMDB entry: tt9721798 — still the authoritative cross-reference for credits and trivia.
7Only 10 TMDB ratings — you're getting ahead of the curve on this one.

The technical file

Cinematography: Kōzō Shibazaki
Original score: Goro Yasukawa
Editing: Chieko Suzaki
Production design: Katsumi Nakazawa
Makeup / hair: Mitsuyoshi Sato
Runtime: 117 min · 1h 57m
Status: Released
Original language: JA
IMDB: Family of Strangers (2019)
IMDB rating: 6.3/10 · 286 votes

Awards

2 wins & 7 nominations

Also by

Hideyuki Hirayama

Trailers & featurettes

Watch the pieces

Community reviews

What people are saying

Alunauwie2025-09-18
★ 10/10
Family of Strangers is a powerful drama that sensitively explores life within a psychiatric hospital, offering a rare and thought-provoking perspective on mental illness. While its pacing is slow and contemplative, the emotional depth, strong acting, and beautiful cinematography make the experience immersive and moving. The film effectively conveys that behind every struggle lies a hidden story, urging us to replace judgment with empathy—especially toward those closest to us. Read the full review here: (Indonesian version : alunauwie.com)

Production companies