Synopsis
Exit 8 is a psychological horror-thriller that transforms liminal anxiety into an existential nightmare, using repetition, isolation, and environmental paranoia as its primary weapons. Based on the cult video game by Kotake Create, the film explores the terror of being trapped in an endless, sterile subway passageway where reality subtly - and constantly - betrays you.
Kazunari Ninomiya stars as an unnamed man who finds himself lost inside an infinite underground corridor, desperately searching for the elusive Exit 8. His mission is governed by a strict and unsettling set of rules: observe everything carefully.
If something feels off - an anomaly in the walls, signs, lighting, or surroundings - he must turn back immediately. If nothing appears wrong, he should continue forward. Only by perfectly navigating these rules can he escape. A single mistake sends him back to the beginning.
As the loop repeats, the corridor becomes increasingly oppressive, transforming mundane architectural details into sources of dread. Exit 8 weaponizes observation itself, forcing both its protagonist and the audience to confront how easily the familiar can become horrifying.
About Exit 8
Exit 8 premiered at the 2025 Cannes Film Festival, where it received an eight-minute standing ovation, and has been a major success in Japan, grossing over $27 million during its theatrical run last fall.
Inspired by the rise of liminal-space horror and the unique psychological tension of video games, Exit 8 channels the unnerving simplicity of its source material into a cinematic experience that aims to feel both minimalist and relentless.
Rather than relying on jump scares or traditional monsters, Exit 8 finds terror in the act of looking too closely or not closely enough.
Director and Cast
Exit 8 is directed by Kawamura Genki and the cast includes Kazunari Ninomiya, Yamato Kôchi, Naru Asanuma, Kotone Hanase, and Nana Komatsu.
Trailer
Images
Exit 8 Release Date
Neon will release Exit 8 in theaters nationwide on April 10th, 2026.
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