Kotoko (2011) 

Shinya Tsukamoto’s body horror cult classic Tetsuo the Iron Man is one of the most intense and chaotic films in the genre. Recently Arrow films released a box set of his films, including Kotoko, a story about a young woman desperate to be a mother but her increasingly violent hallucinations put both her and her baby boy at risk. When she is forced to give up her son to her sister, she attempts to repair her life and create a safe environment for him to return. At the same time she meets a famous writer who immediately falls in love with her and lets Kotoko take out her violent urges on him as they engage in a disturbing romantic relationship. While the stories vary greatly, Tsukamoto manages to embed much of the chaotic energy from Tetsuo into Kotoko. The film is based on a short story by J-pop idol Cocco who also stars in the film and gives life to the complex character. With a constant internal monologue we are forced to get inside the head of this disturbed woman–which at times is horrific and at other times is emotional and moving. It is hard not to empathize with Kotoko even with how disturbed she is. Her hallucinations are often simple yet terrifying as she frequently envisions strangers approaching her and hurting her, which is something, especially as a woman, that is easy to understand. This is a troubling but beautiful character study that deserves more attention. 3.5 out of 5 sacs of blood.

—Victoria Potenza