Chainsaw Man adds fuel to the fight as it continues to saw off the barrier between Japanese and American cinema.
BY CARLSON SCHAFFNER
OCTOBER 29, 2025 6:30 EST
©Sony Pictures Animation
“Chainsaw Man - The Movie: Reze Arc”
Anime films are in an awkward position. In Japan, film isn’t a primary form of entertainment, so a large chunk of anime flicks are more like a bunch of episodes stuck together back to back. Chainsaw Man: Reze Arc is not only an anime movie, but also a sequel movie to the 12 episode show of the same name. Because of this, it faces the challenge of having a high barrier of entry, and less incentive to be watched than American films. Reze Arc may have a lot working against it, but that doesn’t stop it from making an effort to be worthy of a cinematic experience. The film strives to be more than just another anime movie, and turns itself into an experience of the five senses.
Reze Arc particularly stands out in its ability in creating immersive atmospheres. The warm feeling of the coffee diner is punctuated by bright hues and upbeat music. The sounds and lighting invoke an optimistic and hopeful feeling, making the later horrors of the film all the more terrifying. The animation and sound design also serve to make the movie engaging and fun to watch, with sequences such as the movie’s trippy opening animation sending the theater into thunderous applause. In the same vein of the series, the film tackles tough and conflicting topics, but its humor, music, and experimental animation still keep the audience from feeling bogged down or overwhelmed.
What sets it apart from other modern films is its willingness to be ambiguous with its themes. It doesn’t offer conclusive answers to how certain scenes should feel, and subverts expectations about characters that would be played straight in most other movies. One character may seem warm and bubbly in one scene, only to be nightmarish and horrific in another. Characters who seem apathetic and cold end up being sensitive and emotional.
These character shifts aren’t unnatural either, the hints are obvious in retrospect, making the moments play out more like the final acts of card tricks that leave you looking back wondering why you didn’t see them coming. This can make the film feel conflicting and unsatisfying, but it also allows for repeat viewings and deeper discussion.
©Sony Pictures Animation
“Chainsaw Man - The Movie: Reze Arc”
Along with complex characters, the movie also attempts to address current complex issues. Love stories in film are often very cookie-cutter and romanticized, and this can lead to modern teenagers overvaluing romantic relationships and believing them to be the key to happiness. Because of this romanticism, a story like Reze Arc is more important now more than ever. Denji is lonely and craves romance and sex, like many teenagers of today; and because of this, it is very easy for other teenagers to put themselves in Denji’s shoes and agree with his decisions.
Because today's generation is quick to emphasize with Denji, by the time they witness the horrors of the film's second half, they're forced to ask themselves what Denji did wrong. The film forces the audiences acknowledge the fundamental flaw in putting all of your self worth onto another person, which is a more prevalent message now than ever.
Reze Arc is an unconventional and disturbing story, and if this wasn’t clear to someone by the time they catch up on the anime, the film will force them to acknowledge it. The film forces confrontation with uncomfortable truths and conflicting feelings, but that doesn’t stop it from being a unique spectacle of animation, music, and direction. Whether the film leaves you awestruck or disturbed, it’s sure to be an experience you won’t forget quickly.
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