Odd Obsession (1959)

Navigating the twilight of his life, Kenji Kenmochi, an elderly art critic and respected antique collector in Kyoto, Japan, grapples with his fading virility. Despite being married to the enchanting Ikuko, a woman years his junior, Kenji is haunted by the specter of impotence. To rejuvenate his waning potency, he frequently consults Dr. Kimura, a young physician entwined romantically with his daughter, Toshiko. Kenji, however, is oblivious to the fact that it is the sting of jealousy that fuels his youthful vigor. One night, a cunning scheme takes shape in Kenji's mind as the beautiful Ikuko succumbs to the influence of alcohol. At the heart of this devious plan are the unsuspecting characters of his life: his young wife, his daughter, her lover Dr. Kimura, and most significantly, his own unpredictable libido. As Kenji's health continues to fail, he becomes enmeshed in a web of his own making, the plotter turning into the plotted. "Odd Obsession" is a compelling exploration of the human psyche's darker corners, where desire, jealousy, and age collide in a twisted dance. This narrative pulls you into a vortex of intrigue and leaves you questioning the lengths one might go to rekindle lost vitality.

Odd Obsession is a drama movie featuring Machiko Kyō.

Odd Obsession is currently streaming on Criterion Channel.