With recent releases such as The Super Mario Bros. Movie, we are firmly in an era where video games can succeed on the big screen. But while the spotlight has been focused on blockbusters, some indie games are beginning to seep into the cinematic landscape. Co-written and directed by Genki Kawamura, Exit 8 is a Japanese film based on the game of the same name. An eerie journey of mystery through a scenario crafted in dream logic, this is a captivating film that successfully utilises its unique concept to the fullest.

A young man finds himself trapped in an endless subway tunnel as he desperately searches for an exit. The movie stars Kazunari Ninomiya alongside Yamato Kochi, Naru Asanuma, Kotone Hanase and Nana Komatsu.

Largely set in a single location, Exit 8 takes a concept built for a video game and transfers it proficiently into a 95-minute story. While the narrative is supported by logic foreign to the real world, the nightmarish presentation of events allows the surreal script to flourish.

As we follow our protagonist, the film takes us on a looping path to tell its story. This does become a little tedious by the end, but the mystery at the centre of the narrative ensures it’s never boring. Furthermore, the underlying themes of the picture are quite emotional and deliver a character arc that concludes in a cinematically brilliant ending.

Kazunari Ninomiya is effective as the lead in the film, as is the supporting cast. However, the true star of Exit 8 is the environmental storytelling and visual language. Much of this tale is told through subtle (and obvious) shifts in the setting. The many long shots that occupy the screen alongside Keisuke Imamura’s efforts in cinematography allow the subway itself to be a fully-rounded character.

Exit 8 is a striking film which conveys an intriguing story through a unique cinematic lens. In a world where the same narrative seems to be repeated over and over, this movie shatters expectations and positions itself as incredibly memorable.