You are here:

The Crimes That Bind

Name: The Crimes That Bind
Director: Katsuo Fukuzawa
Released: 2018
Duration: 119 min

Representation Score

2.8/10

Limited

2018

Director

Katsuo Fukuzawa

Runtime

119 minutes

Average Rating

No ratings yet

New Showbiz Analysis

The film operates as a conventional mystery-thriller that prioritizes procedural realism and plot mechanics over social critique. It adheres to traditional genre clichés, focusing on a specific investigation within a homogeneous Japanese setting. Representation is limited, with the narrative centering on male detectives and using female characters primarily to drive the central mystery. The work lacks engagement with multi-layered identities or progressive social subversion. Ultimately, the film functions as a standard genre piece. It reinforces established investigative hierarchies and traditional social structures rather than exploring diverse or underrepresented perspectives.

Watch this, not that →

Category Breakdown

Does The Crimes That Bind have LGBTQ+ representation?

Limited

The film does not include any explicit references to LGBTQ+ characters or non-cisgender identities. The storyline focuses on crime-solving and family relationships, without featuring any queer representation.

How does The Crimes That Bind portray gender?

Fair

Women such as Michiko Oshitani and Hiromi Asai play important roles in the mystery, but the main investigative drive is led by male detectives. Female characters primarily act as catalysts for the male protagonists.

How racially and ethnically diverse is The Crimes That Bind?

Limited

Set in Shiga and Tokyo, the film reflects a homogeneous Japanese society. It does not feature multicultural casting or diverse demographics to challenge traditional norms.

How does The Crimes That Bind represent religion and culture?

Fair

The story follows traditional crime procedural structures and legal hierarchies. It explores familial legacy and memory without deconstructing or critiquing established societal norms.

Does The Crimes That Bind include disability representation?

Minimal

The film does not portray any visible or invisible disabilities. There are no characters identified as having physical impairments or neurodivergent conditions.

Present on Screen

The film includes a baseline of female presence through its central victim and key connections.
The setting offers a realistic portrayal of specific Japanese geographic and cultural contexts.

Limited or Absent

The narrative lacks LGBTQ+ visibility and non-cisgender character representation.
Female characters often serve as plot catalysts rather than possessing independent ability to act.
The cast reflects a homogeneous environment with little multicultural or racial diversity.
There is no representation of disability or neurodivergence within the character arcs.

Official Synopsis

Michiko Oshitani, who lived in Shiga Prefecture, is found dead at an apartment in Tokyo. She was strangled to death. Mutsuo Koshikawa is the owner of the apartment and he goes missing. Detectives including Yuhei Matsumiya who is a cousin of Detective Kyoichiro Kaga , have difficulties in solving the case. They can't find a connection between Michiko Oshitani and Mutsuo Koshikawa. They soon learn that Michiko Oshitani came to Tokyo to visit Hiromi Asai . They graduated from the same school, but there isn't a connection between Hiromi Asai and Mutsuo Koshikawa. Detective Yuhei Matsumiya finds something near Michiko Oshitani's body. That something has the names of 12 bridges surrounding the Nihonbashi area of Tokyo. Detective Kyoichiro Kaga learns of the clue and becomes agitated. There's a connection with his late mother

How are these scores produced? →