Kuroneko

Kuroneko

Beware what lurks in the bamboo forest craving the blood of samurai!

1968 · 100 min · ★ 7.4 · Drama, Fantasy, Horror

In the Sengoku period, a woman and her daughter are raped and murdered by soldiers during a time of civil war. Afterwards, a series of samurai returning from the war through that area are found mysteriously dead with their throats torn out. The governor calls in a wild and fierce young hero to quell what is evidently an Onryō ghost.

Directed by Kaneto Shindō · Written by Kaneto Shindō

Your Rating

Where to Watch

Streaming

Criterion Channel

Rent or Buy

Amazon VideoApple TV StoreGoogle Play MoviesYouTubeFandango At Home

Cast

Trailers & Videos

Make it a double feature

4h 9m together

Both from Kaneto Shindō.

More from Kaneto ShindōSee all →

Life of a WomanLife of a Woman · 1953
Life of a Woman
10.01953
MovieDrama
Based on "Une vie" by Guy de Maupassant
LibidoLibido · 1967
Libido
10.01967
MovieDrama
After an elderly man is discharged from a hospital following a misunderstood, life-affirming impulse toward a fellow patient, he finds himself caught between his wife’s empathy and his children’s judgmental scorn. As his health wavers, he and his wife attempt to reclaim their intimacy and vitality during a seaside getaway, even as their son becomes entangled with the same young woman from the clinic.
The Lowest ManThe Lowest Man · 1958
The Lowest Man
9.01958
MovieDramaAction
A young offender who is already guilty of many crimes is sentenced again for rape. Upon his release from prison, a year later, the victim waits to kill him.
The Naked IslandThe Naked Island · 1960
The Naked Island
8.01960
MovieDrama
A family of four are the sole inhabitants of a small island, where they struggle each day to irrigate their crops.
Hachi: A Dog's TaleHachi: A Dog's Tale · 2009
Hachi: A Dog's Tale
8.02009
MovieDramaFamily
Professor Wilson discovers a lost Akita puppy on his way home. Despite objections from his wife, Hachi endears himself to the family and grows to be Parker's loyal companion. As their bond grows deeper, a beautiful relationship unfolds.
HachikoHachiko · 2023
Hachiko
8.02023
MovieDramaFamily
This is the story of a puppy that touched hundreds of millions of people around the world. Hachiko is a cute Chinese pastoral dog. He met his destined owner Chen Jingxiu in the vast crowd and became a member of the Chen family. With the passage of time, the once beautiful home is no longer there, but Batong is still waiting where it is, and its fate is closely tied to its family.
The Battle of OkinawaThe Battle of Okinawa · 1971
The Battle of Okinawa
7.81971
MovieWarHistory
The Americans are swiftly closing on Okinawa, an island just south of the Japanese mainland. The Imperial command sends top generals and several army divisions to defend it at all costs. The mission quickly degenerates as vital resources and troops are diverted to other islands. After a civilian evacuation ends in tragedy most of non-combatants are forced to remain on the island. Many convert to soldier status. Tokyo sends mixed messages that squander time and resources, as when they order the defenders to build an airstrip for aircraft that never come. The truth soon becomes obvious: the high command decides that the island cannot be held and effectively abandons the Okinawan defenders. When the Americans land many troops are deployed in the wrong places. As the slaughter mounts, a suicidal attitude takes hold. Okinawa becomes a death trap, for civilian volunteers and non-combatants as well.
HachikoHachiko · 1987
Hachiko
7.81987
MovieDramaFamily
The tragic, true story about Hachikō, an Akita dog who was loyal to his master, Professor Ueno, even after Ueno's death.
The Strange Tale of OyukiThe Strange Tale of Oyuki · 1992
The Strange Tale of Oyuki
7.81992
MovieDrama
A story of Japanese writer Kafu Nagai (1879-1959), a man about sixty with a huge reputation of seducer who falls madly in love for a young geisha named Oyuki. Meticulous and smartly dressed, Nagai patiently wrote in his diary his thoughts during many years. A melancholy reflection on the passage of time and a brilliant interpretive exercise.
OnibabaOnibaba · 1964
Onibaba
7.71964
MovieHorror
While her son, Kichi, is away at war, a woman and her daughter-in-law survive by killing samurai who stray into their swamp, then selling whatever valuables they find. Both are devastated when they learn that Kichi has died, but his wife soon begins an affair with a neighbor who survived the war, Hachi. The mother disapproves and, when she can't steal Hachi for herself, tries to scare her daughter-in-law with a mysterious mask from a dead samurai.
Kenji Mizoguchi: The Life of a Film DirectorKenji Mizoguchi: The Life of a Film Director · 1975
Kenji Mizoguchi: The Life of a Film Director
7.21975
MovieDocumentary
In 39 interviews with actors and actresses, writers, producers and staff members, interspersed with film excerpts and stills, Shindō recounts the life and career of his friend and mentor Mizoguchi.
Zatoichi's PilgrimageZatoichi's Pilgrimage · 1966
Zatoichi's Pilgrimage
7.11966
MovieDramaAction
Zatoichi's trek through 88 temples to atone for his violent past is interrupted as he stumbles into a village terrorized by a violent yakuza boss.
Black LizardBlack Lizard · 1962
Black Lizard
7.11962
MovieMysteryDrama
The cunning detective Akeichi must foil a kidnapping plot orchestrated by the notorious jewel thief known as Black Lizard.
The Perennial WeedThe Perennial Weed · 1975
The Perennial Weed
7.01975
MovieCrimeDrama
A detective wonders that his sister is a murder suspect.
The 47 RoninThe 47 Ronin · 1941
The 47 Ronin
6.91941
MovieDramaHistory
In the early 18th-century, Lord Takumi-no-kami Asano, feuding with Lord Kira, tries to kill his opponent in the corridors of the Shogun's palace. The Shogun sentences Asano to seppuku and deprives the palace and lands from his clan, but does not punish Kira. Asano's vassals leave the land and his samurais become ronin and want to seek revenge against the Lord's dishonour. But their leader Kuranosuke Oishi seeks to restore the Asano clan with his brother Daigaku Asano. One year later, the Shogun refuses, and Oishi and 46 rōnin are out for revenge.
IrezumiIrezumi · 1966
Irezumi
6.91966
MovieCrimeDrama
Otsuya, the daughter of a rich merchant, elopes with her lover Shinsuke, an employee of her father's. During their flight, Otsuya's beauty attracts the gaze of Seikichi, a mysterious master tattooist who sees her pristine white skin as the perfect canvas for his art. The image of the large demonic spider that he emblazons across Otsuya's back marks her as the property of another man, radically altering her relationships with all around her as her personality seems to transform under its influence.

More Like This

MorgueMorgue · 2019
Morgue
6.72019
MovieHorror
On his first day as a security guard, Diego Martinez is assigned to the night shift at the Hospital Regional. On his rounds, he notices the hallways can be unsettling at night until he accidentally notices he’s trapped inside the morgue.
The Elephant ManThe Elephant Man · 1980
The Elephant Man
8.11980
MovieDramaHistory
A Victorian surgeon rescues a heavily disfigured man being mistreated by his "owner" as a side-show freak. Behind his monstrous façade, there is revealed a person of great intelligence and sensitivity. Based on the true story of Joseph Merrick (called John Merrick in the film), a severely deformed man in 19th century London.
A Mighty HeartA Mighty Heart · 2007
A Mighty Heart
6.42007
MovieDramaThriller
Based on Mariane Pearl's account of the terrifying and unforgettable story of her husband, Wall Street Journal reporter Danny Pearl's life and death.
4 Months, 3 Weeks and 2 Days4 Months, 3 Weeks and 2 Days · 2007
4 Months, 3 Weeks and 2 Days
7.52007
MovieDrama
Two college roommates have 24 hours to make the ultimate choice as they finalize arrangements for a black market abortion.
Liberty Stands StillLiberty Stands Still · 2002
Liberty Stands Still
5.32002
MovieThrillerAction
As the heir and current marketing director for one of the nation's biggest gun manufacturers, Liberty Wallace is indifferent to the atrocities made possible through her business and her CEO husband, Victor. On her way to see her actor lover, Liberty ends up chained to a food cart full of explosives -- all at the insistence of "Joe", a sniper whose young daughter was a victim of gun violence, and who now has Liberty in his sights.
Alice in the CitiesAlice in the Cities · 1974
Alice in the Cities
7.71974
MovieDrama
German journalist Philip Winter has a case of writer’s block when trying to write an article about the United States. He decides to return to Germany, and while trying to book a flight, encounters a German woman and her nine year old daughter Alice doing the same. The three become friends (almost out of necessity) and while the mother asks Winter to mind Alice temporarily, it quickly becomes apparent that Alice will be his responsibility for longer than he expected.
PaybackPayback · 1999
Payback
6.81999
MovieActionDrama
With friends like these, who needs enemies? That's the question bad guy Porter is left asking after his wife and partner steal his heist money and leave him for dead -- or so they think. Five months and an endless reservoir of bitterness later, Porter's partners and the crooked cops on his tail learn how bad payback can be.
Body of EvidenceBody of Evidence · 1993
Body of Evidence
5.01993
MovieDramaThriller
When an elderly millionaire is found dead with cocaine in his system, his will leaves $8 million to Rebecca Carlson, who was having an affair with him. District attorney Robert Garrett decides to prosecute Rebecca, arguing that she deliberately engaged in wild sex with the old man to overexcite him and lead to his premature death. Defense attorney Frank Dulaney defends Rebecca in court while getting sucked into a dangerous affair with her.
Days of ThunderDays of Thunder · 1990
Days of Thunder
6.41990
MovieAdventureAction
Talented but unproven stock car driver Cole Trickle gets a break and with the guidance of veteran Harry Hogge turns heads on the track. The young hotshot develops a rivalry with a fellow racer that threatens his career when the two smash their cars. But with the help of his doctor, Cole just might overcome his injuries-- and his fear.
We Own the NightWe Own the Night · 2007
We Own the Night
6.72007
MovieDramaCrime
A New York nightclub manager tries to save his brother and father from Russian mafia hitmen.
Secret SunshineSecret Sunshine · 2007
Secret Sunshine
7.22007
MovieDrama
Shin-ae moves to her recently late husband’s hometown. Despite her efforts to settle in this unfamiliar and too-normal place, she finds that she can’t fit in. After a sudden tragedy, Shin-ae turns to Christianity to relieve her pain, but when even this is not permitted, she wages a war against God.
BreakdownBreakdown · 1997
Breakdown
6.91997
MovieCrimeMystery
On their cross-country drive, a married couple, Jeff and Amy Taylor, experience car trouble after their SUV breaks down. Stranded in the New Mexico desert, the two catch a break when a passing truck driver offers Amy a ride to a nearby café to call for help. Meanwhile, Jeff is able to fix the car and make his way to the café, but Amy isn't there. He tracks down the trucker ― who tells the police he's never seen Jeff or his wife before. Jeff then begins a desperate, frenzied search for Amy.

Rate this film

Your ratings make Midnight smarter