
Walking on Water
2002

2005
Director
Kei Horie
Runtime
103 minutes
Average Rating
No ratings yetSynopsis
Towa lives in a peculiar sanatorium after committing suicide. Convalescing in sanatorium, she is informed that she has only 7 days to live. Isolated within their worlds, strange people live in this sanatorium and try to avoid making any contact with her. However, Kuroda a man who lost his power of speech feels sympathetic towards her and their every lovable things give true colors to the life and inspire Towa’s honest desire for the life…
Overall Score
Fair
Category Breakdown
LGBTQ+ Representation
The film focuses on the connection between Towa and Kuroda. There is no evidence of specific queer identities or non-cisnormative romantic pairings within the narrative.
Gender Representation
Towa is a female protagonist navigating an existential crisis with significant internal agency. However, the central relationship follows a traditional dyad, which limits broader gender exploration.
Racial & Ethnic Diversity
As a Japanese production, the film features a predominantly Japanese cast. It operates within its own cultural framework without actively engaging in multicultural blending.
Religious & Cultural Diversity
The story deconstructs traditional views of life and productivity through a secular existentialist lens. It finds meaning in individual connection rather than religious or state institutions.
Disability Representation
Kuroda, a man who has lost his ability to speak, serves as a catalyst for the protagonist's emotional growth. His disability is treated as a source of empathy.
Strengths
Areas for Improvement
AI Analysis
Veronika Decides to Die is an existentialist drama that finds strength in its unconventional character dynamics. By centering on a protagonist in a sanatorium, the film disrupts standard narratives of social conformity and wellness. The inclusion of Kuroda, a character with a speech disability, provides meaningful representation that avoids common tropes. His presence facilitates a deep emotional connection rather than serving as a mere object of pity. However, the film remains somewhat limited by its traditional relational structures and lack of explicit intersectional identities. It functions more as a psychological study than a broad social critique.

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