Sono Sion’s “Tokyo Vampire Hotel” is not your typical vampire movie. Forget about brooding castles and gothic settings; this film takes place in a massive hotel—but not just any hotel. It’s located in a bizarre, inter-dimensional pocket of space-time that exists… between the legs of a decrepit vampire queen! Yes, you read that right!
This film is a wild, demented rollercoaster ride that blends grotesque imagery, surreal scenarios, and excessive violence into a unique cinematic experience. It’s like a cocaine-fueled giallo that combines the artistic styles of Suzuki Seijun and Claire Denis. Think “Tokyo Drifter” meets “Trouble Every Day”—but with a vampire twist.
Sion is no stranger to pushing the boundaries of cinema. He’s known for his outlandish and provocative films, including “Love Exposure,” a four-hour epic about a teenage Catholic’s journey into the world of upskirt photography, and “Tokyo Tribe,” a violent rap opera about a gangster who burns down a city to compensate for his small penis.
“Tokyo Vampire Hotel” is Sion’s latest exercise in gonzo digital mayhem. It’s a film that’s sexed up to the gills, awash in national anxieties, and absolutely drowning in CGI blood. While Sion’s previous works might have been considered wild, this film takes things to a whole new level. It’s a frantic, incoherent mess that’s both electrifying and maddening.
A Miniseries Cut Down to Size
Originally conceived as a nine-episode, 388-minute miniseries, “Tokyo Vampire Hotel” debuted on Amazon Prime in Japan last July. It was later made available to American viewers, but the company has been discreet about its availability, almost as if it’s a government secret.
The miniseries has now been trimmed down to a 142-minute version, which may or may not have been edited under Sono Sion’s supervision. This truncated version is a double-edged sword. On one hand, it’s thrilling to see Sion’s wild imagination at work. On the other, it’s maddeningly short. It leaves you wanting more, but also exhausted from the intense, frenetic pacing.
A Vampire War in Modern Tokyo
The film throws you headfirst into a world of ancient vampire warfare. Two rival clans, the Draculas and the Corvins, are locked in a brutal battle for dominance. The Draculas lived in harmony with humans, while the Corvins hunted morals for sport.
A prophecy foretells that young Japanese millennials will possess the power to defeat the Corvins and liberate the Draculas. This final showdown is set to erupt in post-Olympic Tokyo in the year 2021.
We meet Manami, a naive 21-year-old who becomes the central figure in this apocalyptic battle royale. She’s like the Bella Swan of the vampire world. A violent, comedic scene, where a cartoon sociopath in pink fur murders an entire izakaya, introduces Manami to the horrors that await her.
A Crazy Cast and a Confusing Plot
The film features a diverse cast of characters, including K, a stone-faced killer who’s loyally devoted to the Draculas. She’s a magnetic presence in the film, despite the confusing plot.
Manami may be the protagonist, but K drives the minimal story forward. The characters converge at the title hotel for a bizarre “coupling party” hosted by the remaining Corvins.
The details are murky, but it seems they plan to trap 100 attractive Japanese singles in a cavernous soundstage, wipe out the rest of the world, and force the survivors to have sex to maintain their vampire food supply. It all sounds absurdly convoluted, and it ends up making even less sense than it sounds.
A Political Commentary Wrapped in Blood
While the plot is fragmented and confusing, there are hints of political commentary beneath the bloody chaos.
The film reflects on Japan’s struggle to reconcile its past with its future. The Prime Minister’s pronouncements about hitting a dead end echo the nation’s modern crises. The film’s focus on mortality hints at Japan’s declining population. The hotel’s isolation symbolizes a nation that may have become too insular.
An Over-the-Top Visual Feast
“Tokyo Vampire Hotel” is not a film for the faint of heart. It’s a maximalist visual feast of primary colors, baroque architecture, and outrageous digital violence. The soundtrack blends Ennio Morricone’s “Days of Heaven” with heavy metal guitar riffs, creating a bizarre and exhilarating audio experience.
While the story is messy and convoluted, the film’s chaos is part of its charm. It’s a delirious, energetic experience that reflects Sion’s desire to forge his own future. Even in its truncated form, “Tokyo Vampire Hotel” is a visceral, unforgettable experience that will leave you shocked, confused, and entertained.
