Satoko Always

Satoko Always

2026 · 138 min · Drama

Satoko is a 15-year-old junior high school student. After a brief encounter with herclassmate Hayase at the ENT clinic, she begins to write a story sparked by herfeelings for him. Satoko is a 35-year-old working at a film publicity company. After being stabbed bythe wife of her married lover and hospitalized, she starts writing a story. Satoko is a 55-year-old housewife. On the last day of making lunchboxes for herthree sons, she remembers her childhood dream of becoming a writer and beginsto write.

Directed by Shuichi Okita · Written by Shuichi Okita

In theaters Sep 18, 2026

Cast

Make it a double feature

4h 55m together

Satoko Always

Hey! Our dear Don-chan

Both from Shuichi Okita.

More from Shuichi OkitaSee all →

Hey! Our dear Don-chanHey! Our dear Don-chan · 2022
Hey! Our dear Don-chan
8.32022
MovieDrama
The film revolves around three struggling actors Michio, Gunji, and Enoken, who share a house together. One day, they find a baby girl left with a letter from Michio's ex-girlfriend. They name the child "Don-chan" and embark on the journey of raising her, despite their initial confusion.
0.5 Man0.5 Man · 2023
0.5 Man
8.32023
SeriesDrama
Masaharu "Masaji" Tachibana was a brilliant programmer who got burnt out and suddenly stopped showing up to work. He now lives at home with his parents and spends his time sleeping and playing video games. He only ventures out of his room to visit the local convenience store for more energy drinks and snacks, until one day he learns that his parents have decided to build a "2.5 family" house with his sister and her family joining them. Masaji is forced to acclimate and with the change of environment begins to venture out of his room and his own head.
Hibana: SparkHibana: Spark · 2016
Hibana: Spark
8.22016
SeriesDrama
Tokunaga, a comedian who is down on his luck, has a shock encounter with Kamiya, an older comedian, when he visits a fireworks event in Atami on a job. Tokunaga is deeply touched by Kamiya, and asks if he can become his apprentice. Kamiya is a genius type of comedian, who is full of human kindness. He accepts Tokunaga’s proposition on the condition that he will write his biography.
The Fish TaleThe Fish Tale · 2022
The Fish Tale
7.62022
MovieDramaComedy
A young child is obsessed with learning about and drawing fish. The child seems a little odd, but if you are understanding and supportive you will be cheering in the end.
Because We Forget EverythingBecause We Forget Everything · 2022
Because We Forget Everything
7.62022
SeriesDrama
M, a mystery writer, has a girlfriend of five years named F, who disappeared on Halloween night. When a woman comes and claims to be her sister, M begins the search for his girlfriend. Along the way, the people he meets describe a woman very unlike the F he knew.
Breakfast of the MovieBreakfast of the Movie · 2023
Breakfast of the Movie
7.52023
MovieDocumentary
Documentary on the legendary bento shop "Popeye," known to everyone in the film industry.
One Summer StoryOne Summer Story · 2021
One Summer Story
7.42021
MovieDramaComedy
Two different high school children - a swimmer and an academic - set off on a quest together one summer.
Mori, The Artist's HabitatMori, The Artist's Habitat · 2018
Mori, The Artist's Habitat
7.32018
MovieDramaComedy
Vegetation thrives in painter Morikazu's garden, which is home to creatures that serve as models for his paintings, including numerous bugs and cats. A sweet and heartwarming day begins for Morikazu, who gazed at these garden creatures on a daily basis for over three decades, and those who love him.
A Story of YonosukeA Story of Yonosuke · 2013
A Story of Yonosuke
7.22013
MovieDramaRomance
The year is 1987 and Japan is just reaching the peak of its economic success. Eighteen-year old Yonosuke Yokomichi arrives in Tokyo from Nagasaki. Ordinary in every way possible, he lives in a suburb far from the excitement of the big city and commutes to a university in the center of Tokyo.
Ora, Ora Be Goin' AloneOra, Ora Be Goin' Alone · 2020
Ora, Ora Be Goin' Alone
7.22020
MovieDramaComedy
In 1964, Momoko came by herself to Tokyo from her hometown. She met Shūzō and married him. They raised two children together, but Shūzō suddenly passes away. Momoko is dumbfounded by being alone again. She begins to go to the library and borrows books. This changes her life.
The Chef of South PolarThe Chef of South Polar · 2009
The Chef of South Polar
7.12009
MovieDramaComedy
When eight men are assigned to live 14,000 kilometers from home in inhumanly cold conditions, food becomes their new existence.
Hey Detective, Your Backpack is Open!Hey Detective, Your Backpack is Open! · 2026
Hey Detective, Your Backpack is Open!
6.72026
SeriesDramaComedy
A quirky detective-inventor tackles bizarre cases with a laid-back style, surrounded by his outrageous inventions.
Ecotherapy Getaway HolidayEcotherapy Getaway Holiday · 2014
Ecotherapy Getaway Holiday
6.42014
MovieComedy
Seven women aged between 40 and 80 join the Leaf-Watching & Grand Mythical Waterfall & Hot Spring tour. The women chat, pick berries, take photos and generally enjoy themselves as they follow their unreliable guide to the waterfall. Then the guide disappears, leaving the women stranded in the woods. Thrown into an experience far removed from their ordinary lives, they become reflective. An open casting call was held to search for seven women over the age of 40. Acting experience was not required. Director Okita's screenplay comes to life when the cast's unique presence and talents combine with the characters.
The Woodsman and the RainThe Woodsman and the Rain · 2012
The Woodsman and the Rain
6.12012
MovieComedyDrama
A widowed lumberjack's life is turned upside down when a film crew shooting a zombie movie asks for his help and increasingly starts to rely on him.
Fruits Delivery ServiceFruits Delivery Service · 2019
Fruits Delivery Service
6.02019
SeriesDramaComedy
After the company SAKITA had been working at has gone out of business, he returns to his hometown in a regional city for a second start as the head of a call-girl business, "Fruits Delivery Service." This drama tells the tale of a group of women who, being poor and faced with a variety of life situations, have no alternative but to work at that service. It is a work that calls into question how to deal with distortions in society.
The Mohican Comes HomeThe Mohican Comes Home · 2016
The Mohican Comes Home
5.82016
MovieComedy
Eikichi left his hometown in Hiroshima for Tokyo. He tried to find success with his music band, but failed. Several years later, Eikichi goes home to tell his father, Osamu, that his girlfriend is pregnant. His father curses him out, but he is also excited to have a grandchild. Osamu has a party to celebrate the news, but, at the party, he collapses and goes to the hospital. Eikichi struggles to make his father happy.

More Like This

Slums of Beverly HillsSlums of Beverly Hills · 1998
Slums of Beverly Hills
6.31998
MovieComedyDrama
In 1976, a teenage girl struggles to cope while living with her neurotic lower-middle-class family of nomads on the outskirts of Beverly Hills.
School TiesSchool Ties · 1992
School Ties
6.51992
MovieDrama
When David Greene receives a football scholarship to a prestigious prep school in the 1950s, he feels pressure to hide the fact that he is Jewish from his classmates and teachers, fearing that they may be anti-Semitic. He quickly becomes the big man on campus thanks to his football skills, but when his Jewish background is discovered, his worst fears are realized and his friends turn on him with violent threats and public ridicule.
HavocHavoc · 2005
Havoc
5.32005
MovieCrimeDrama
A wealthy Los Angeles teen and her superficial friends wants to break out of suburbia and experience Southern California's "gangsta" lifestyle. But problems arise when the preppies get in over their heads and provoke the wrath of a violent Latino gang. Suddenly, their role-playing seems a little too real.
Ten Inch HeroTen Inch Hero · 2007
Ten Inch Hero
7.02007
MovieComedyDrama
Four friends search for love and happiness while working at a California sandwich shop.
KeithKeith · 2008
Keith
7.02008
MovieDramaRomance
Natalie is high school royalty, but her queen bee status falls apart when she falls for the new guy at school. Although Keith ignores her at first, they soon become friends -- even though Natalie suspects that Keith has something to hide. As the free-spirited Keith shows Natalie how to embrace what life offers, they grow closer -- until a secret tests the bounds of their relationship
The Cement GardenThe Cement Garden · 1993
The Cement Garden
6.71993
MovieDrama
After the death of her husband, the mother of Julie, Jack, Sue and Tom begins to suffer from a mysterious illness. Aware that she is going to have to go into hospital she opens a bank account for the children, so that they can be financially self-sufficient and will be able to avoid being taken into care by the authorities. Unfortunately she also dies and Julie and Jack (the older, teenage children) decide to hide her body in the basement so that they can have free reign of their household. Soon Tom has taken to dressing as a girl whilst Sue has become increasingly reticent, confiding only to her diary, meanwhile Jack and Julie sense an attraction developing for each other. However Julie's new beau, Derek, threatens to unearth the many dark secrets within this family as he becomes increasingly suspicious of Jack.
Lean On MeLean On Me · 1989
Lean On Me
7.31989
MovieDrama
When principal Joe Clark takes over decaying Eastside High School, he's faced with students wearing gang colors and graffiti-covered walls. Determined to do anything he must to turn the school around, he expels suspected drug dealers, padlocks doors and demands effort and results from students, staff and parents. Autocratic to a fault, this real-life educator put it all on the line.
Love & BasketballLove & Basketball · 2000
Love & Basketball
7.42000
MovieComedyDrama
Monica Wright and Quincy McCall grew up in the same neighborhood and have known each other since childhood. As they grow into adulthood, they fall in love, but they also share another all-consuming passion: basketball. As Quincy and Monica struggle to make their relationship work, they follow separate career paths though high school and college basketball and, they hope, into stardom in big-league professional ball.
Boy ABoy A · 2008
Boy A
7.12008
MovieCrimeDrama
Freed after a lengthy term in a juvenile detention center, convicted child killer Jack Burridge finds work as a deliveryman and begins dating co-worker Michelle. While out on the road one day, Jack notices a distressed child, and, after reuniting the girl with her family, becomes a local celebrity. But when a local newspaper unearths his past, Jack must cope with the anger of citizens who fear for the safety of their children.

Rate this film

Your ratings make Midnight smarter