A group of strangers find themselves in a cube-like maze where hope, deceit and deciphering a code may be the way to lead them out. This movie is the Japanese remake of Cube (1997).

Cast

Tokio Emoto plays the First Man and has recently starred in Nakuna Kenshûi (2021) television series. Makashi Suda stars as Yuichi Goto and has recently starred in The Boy and The Heron (2023) television series. Anne Wanatabe plays Asako Kai and starred in xxxHolic (2013) and Totto-Chan: The Little Girl at the Window (2023) television series. Masaki Okada plays Shinji Ochi and has recently starred in The Travel Nurse (2022) television series. Hikaru Tashiro stars as Chiharu Uno and starred in Iron Grandma (2015) mini television series. Takumi Saito plays Hiroshi Ide and recently starred in Shin Ultraman (2022) and Shin Godzilla (2016). Kotoro Yoshi stars as Kazumasa Ando and recently starred in Cop Seven (2015-2023).

Plot

Yuichi Goto, Shinji Ochi and Chiharu Uno wake up in a room with no memory of how they got there. Eventually, a man, Hiroshi Ide, surprises them as he drops a boot from nowhere. Ide reveals that there are traps abound in these rooms. Uno and Goto find a pattern to these rooms and find a way to escape. However, some of the other people have their own motivations, and it doesn’t end well for some. Finally, one escapes while one returns to the Cube perhaps to assist — or perhaps there is a bigger game.

Review

Some decent parts, some bad parts and some overall predictable parts. Overall, a decent remake of Cube (1997). The use of colors in the cubes were artistic in their own right. The latter twists, especially the ending, lends to a potential sequel. These latter twists were somewhat ingenious and a modern twist as opposed to Cube (1997) and its sequels with its steampunk capstone in Cube Zero (2004).

Verdict (Out of 10)

It’s a 6.2 out of 10. The movie in of itself pays tribute to Cube (1997) well. However, in its tribute also contributes to its predictability. The latter twists are quite good. Perhaps with a sequel, this potential franchise reboot can see some new light.