A Bad Summer 2025
In this sharply observed drama from Tokyo-based director Hideo Jojo, a quiet civil servant's life spins wildly out of control during a single sweltering summer.
Director: Hideo Jojo
Cast
Takumi Kitamura
Mamoru Sasaki
Yuumi Kawai
Aimi Hayashino
Marika Ito
Yuko Miyata
Katsuya Maiguma
Yoji Takano
Yumena Yanai
Rika
Pistol Takehara
Yoshio Yamada
Haruka Kinami
Kasumi Furukawa
Masataka Kubota
Tatsuya Kaneki
Frequently Asked Questions
What is A Bad Summer (2025) about?
A compassionate but meek civil servant finds himself entangled in a web of deceit and desperation after failing to navigate the harsh realities of city bureaucracy. His inability to set boundaries with aggressive individuals pushes him toward a violent act he never intended. The film becomes a tense character study of moral collapse under societal pressure.
Who directed A Bad Summer?
A Bad Summer is directed by Hideo Jojo, a filmmaker known for crafting atmospheric dramas that dissect the pressures of modern urban life.
Who stars in A Bad Summer?
The film features a compelling ensemble led by Takumi Kitamura as Sasaki, with Yuumi Kawai, Marika Ito, Katsuya Maiguma, and Yumena Yanai rounding out the principal cast.
Is A Bad Summer (2025) worth watching?
With its intense character drama and crime elements, A Bad Summer offers a gripping exploration of societal pressures and personal compromise. While its unrated IMDb status leaves room for interpretation, its thematic depth and strong performances make it compelling viewing for fans of social realism and suspense.
How long is A Bad Summer?
A Bad Summer runs for 114 minutes, delivering a tightly paced narrative that balances psychological tension and dramatic confrontations.
🎥 Trailer
About A Bad Summer (2025) — When Good Intentions Meet a Corrupt System
In this sharply observed drama from Tokyo-based director Hideo Jojo, a quiet civil servant's life spins wildly out of control during a single sweltering summer. Takumi Kitamura stars as Sasaki, an earnest but unassertive city hall employee who struggles to stand his ground against mounting pressure—whether from a desperate single mother, a manipulative coworker, or a fraudulent welfare recipient. The film's oppressive urban atmosphere amplifies every unspoken frustration, pushing Sasaki toward a dark turning point where his passivity collides with systemic corruption. As moral lines blur, audiences witness the quiet devastation of a man caught between societal cracks and his own fragile sense of duty. With its raw emotional intensity and unflinching look at modern bureaucracy, *A Bad Summer (2025)* explores themes of helplessness, desperation, and the unpredictable consequences of inaction.
Jojo's cinematic style—steeped in neon-lit realism and understated tension—creates an immersive experience where every glance and hesitation feels consequential. The ensemble cast, including Yuumi Kawai and Marika Ito, delivers nuanced performances that highlight the fractures in ordinary lives. Blending crime elements with intimate character drama, the film builds to a suspenseful climax that leaves viewers questioning how far one can bend before breaking. *A Bad Summer (2025)* lingers as a cautionary tale about the quiet battles fought far from the spotlight.
