Onibaba (1964)

In the tumultuous fourteenth century, Japan is ensnared in a brutal civil war. Amidst the chaos, a middle-aged woman and her daughter-in-law carve out a grim existence within a secluded swampy reed field. They rely on a macabre trade, ambushing weary soldiers and warriors, leaving death in their wake to barter their victims' belongings for food with a rapacious merchant. Their world is upended with the arrival of their neighbour, Hachi, a war deserter who comes bearing the bitter news of Kichi, their son and husband's death. Nightly, the reed field rustles with secrets as the young widow surrenders to Hachi's seduction, leaving the older woman in a desperate plight. Fearful of her dwindling chances of survival without her daughter-in-law's aid, she pleads with Hachi, only for her pleas to be brushed aside. The older woman's desperation takes a dark turn when she encounters a disfigured samurai adorned with a demon mask, lost in the labyrinthine reed field. Seeing an opportunity, she lures the samurai to his doom, claiming his possessions and his eerie mask. In a twisted game of deception, she dons the demon mask, using the chilling visage to terrify her daughter-in-law and deter her nocturnal rendezvous with Hachi. Her plan, however, spirals out of control, leading to a shocking revelation when she decides to remove the mask. "Onibaba" is a tale of survival, deception and the haunting consequences of desperation set against the backdrop of a war-torn Japan.

Onibaba is a drama movie featuring Nobuko Otowa and directed by Kaneto Shindō.

Onibaba is currently streaming on Criterion Channel, Max and Max Amazon Channel.

It is also possible to buy Onibaba on Amazon Video, Apple TV, Google Play Movies, Vudu and YouTube.