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The Complex

Name: The Complex
Director: Hideo Nakata
Released: 2013
Duration: 106 min

Representation Score

4.7/10

Fair

2013

Not Rated

Director

Hideo Nakata

Runtime

106 minutes

Average Rating

No ratings yet

New Showbiz Analysis

The Complex is a genre-focused J-Horror film that emphasizes atmospheric tension over social commentary. Its narrative structure relies on well-established conventions, focusing on suspense and supernatural clichés rather than overlapping identity issues. While the film offers a female protagonist with a proactive role, it does not challenge traditional gender roles. Characters primarily serve the needs of the horror genre, maintaining a conventional, non-challenging approach to representation. Overall, the film operates within a culturally specific, homogeneous framework. It lacks significant engagement with LGBTQ+ identities, racial diversity, or nuanced portrayals of disability, resulting in a score reflective of traditional genre storytelling.

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Category Breakdown

Does The Complex have LGBTQ+ representation?

Limited

The film does not include any LGBTQ+ characters or stories about non-assuming gender matches what was assigned at birth identities. It focuses on a traditional nuclear family and the immediate neighborhood.

How does The Complex portray gender?

Fair

Asuka, a nursing student, demonstrates strong female presence by investigating her neighbor's death. However, she follows traditional horror character types, emphasizing vulnerability.

How racially and ethnically diverse is The Complex?

Limited

The cast is ethnically uniform, reflecting a culturally specific setting without emphasis on racial diversity or varied casting.

How does The Complex represent religion and culture?

Fair

The story delves into urban isolation and community breakdown. It adheres to traditional supernatural horror themes without challenging Western institutions or promoting specific social critiques.

Does The Complex include disability representation?

Limited

The frail, malnourished neighbor serves primarily as a plot device, rather than a detailed exploration of disability.

Present on Screen

Features a proactive female lead in Asuka's investigation of the neighbor's death.
Explores sociological themes of urban isolation and community breakdown.

Limited or Absent

Does not include LGBTQ+ identities or non-assuming gender matches what was assigned at birth characters.
Relies on traditional horror archetypes without challenging gender hierarchies.
Uses physical frailty as a plot device rather than a nuanced portrayal of disability.
Maintains an ethnically uniform cast typical of domestic Japanese productions.

Official Synopsis

Nursing student Asuka has just moved into an apartment complex with her parents and younger brother. On the first night in her new room, she is awoken by a strange scratching sound coming from the apartment of her neighbor, a reclusive old man who has refused all attempts at communication. Concerned over his well being, Asuka enters his home only to find him dead from malnutrition. Worse, it looks as if he had been trying to claw his way into her room. Asuka learns that there have been a number of strange deaths in the complex over the years from Shinobu, the handyman cleaning up the old man’s apartment. Even the girls at school whisper rumors of it being haunted.

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