You are here:

The Women in the Lakes

The Women in the Lakes

Representation Score

7.7/10

Good

2024

Director

Tatsushi Ōmori

Runtime

141 minutes

Average Rating

No ratings yet

New Showbiz Analysis

Tatsushi Ōmori’s thriller centers on disrupting social and institutional norms. By focusing on forbidden romances and the vulnerabilities of those in care facilities, the film moves away from traditional moral certainties. The narrative emphasizes atmospheric tension and the deconstruction of systemic reliability. It uses the mystery of a medical malfunction to explore deeper, more complex human connections and hidden histories. While the film offers a nuanced look at gendered roles and social strata, it lacks explicit evidence regarding racial or multi-ethnic diversity, keeping the overall score in a moderate range.

Watch this, not that →

Category Breakdown

Does The Women in the Lakes have LGBTQ+ representation?

Fair

The film examines a passionate but forbidden relationship between a detective and a caregiver, highlighting connections that exist outside of typical societal approval.

How does The Women in the Lakes portray gender?

Good

The story features a female-centric ensemble that challenges traditional hierarchies. Caregivers are transformed from passive supporters into central, high-stakes players in a complex mystery.

How racially and ethnically diverse is The Women in the Lakes?

Fair

This localized Japanese production focuses on specific social strata such as reporters and detectives. There is no explicit indication of a multi-ethnic or diverse cast.

How does The Women in the Lakes represent religion and culture?

Good

The narrative critiques the stability of institutional care and the sanctity of the past by revealing hidden histories. This challenges how systemic structures can obscure the truth.

Does The Women in the Lakes include disability representation?

Fair

The plot revolves around a 100-year-old resident who depends on a respirator. While the elderly are used as catalysts, the investigation into their care creates a central tension.

Present on Screen

  • Challenges traditional gender roles by placing female caregivers in central, high-stakes positions.
  • Explores complex, transgressive human connections through forbidden romantic dynamics.
  • Uses systemic failures in healthcare to drive a compelling, character-driven mystery.

Limited or Absent

  • Does not provide explicit evidence of a multi-ethnic or diverse cast within the Japanese setting.
  • Risk of using elderly and medically dependent characters primarily as plot devices for tension.

Official Synopsis

A 100-year-old resident of a Lake Biwa nursing home dies mysteriously. Did a respirator keeping him alive suddenly malfunction, or was he murdered? A young detective on the case meets a female caregiver. The investigation runs into a dead end, but the two fall into a passionate but forbidden relationship. Terrifying memories emerge from the vast, deep lake to ensnare the detectives on the case, the caregivers, and a reporter trying to uncover a hidden past.

How are these scores produced? →

Where to Watch

Rate this Movie

No rating selected
Use arrow keys to select a rating from 1 to 5 stars
Optional text review, maximum 2000 characters
Tip: Wrap spoilers with ||double pipes|| to hide them
0/2000 characters
You must be signed in to submit a rating

Reviews

No reviews yet. Be the first to share your thoughts on this movie!

Use the rating form above to leave a star rating and optional review.