When an epidemic of group suicide strikes Japan, a police investigation reveals a pop music sensation could be responsible.

Japan has a complicated history with suicide. Intense social and academic pressure gives way to poor mental health and, in the late nineties, a considerable spike in deaths undoubtedly inspired filmmaker Sion Sono’s SUICIDE CLUB (2001).

In a gruesome cold open, 55 schoolgirls gleefully jump at once in front of a moving subway train, influencing numerous other inexplicable acts of self destruction all around Japan. Are young people simply impressionable? Is there a sinister suicide cult controlling the youth? What’s up with the skin ribbons?

A stumped detective and a young hacker look for answers from a mysterious website and discover subliminal messaging in a J-pop group’s imagery. Swifties beware! – she could be influencing you to do something unimaginable, like buy her music.

Clashing tones and random musical performances make for a confusing and surreal watch, but Suicide Club is a tried and true offbeat satire that has achieved cult status and even a manga version.