Air Doll 2009
"A very "human" story."
Set against the neon-lit backdrops of Tokyo, *Air Doll* (2009) is a quietly unsettling yet tender drama from acclaimed director Hirokazu Kore-eda (*Shoplifters*).
Director: Hirokazu Kore-eda
Cast
Bae Doona
Nozomi
Arata Iura
Junichi
Itsuji Itao
Hideo
Joe Odagiri
Sonoda
Sumiko Fuji
Chiyoko
Masaya Takahashi
Keiichi
Kimiko Yo
Receptionist Yoshiko
Ryo Iwamatsu
Video Shop Owner
Tomomi Maruyama
Shinji
Miu Naraki
Moe
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Air Doll (2009) about?
*Air Doll* follows Nozomi, a sentient inflatable doll who awakens to a world she never knew existed. As she secretly explores Tokyo and falls in love with her reclusive owner Junichi, she begins to mimic human life—working at his store, developing emotions, and questioning her place in the world. But when reality resists her transformation, she faces a heartbreaking reckoning with her artificial nature.
Who directed Air Doll?
*Air Doll* was directed by Hirokazu Kore-eda, the celebrated Japanese filmmaker behind critically acclaimed movies like *Shoplifters* and *After the Storm*.
Who stars in Air Doll?
The film stars Bae Doona as Nozomi, with Arata Iura as Junichi, Itsuji Itao, Joe Odagiri, and veteran actress Sumiko Fuji in pivotal roles.
Is Air Doll (2009) worth watching?
Standing at just over 90 minutes, *Air Doll* is a slim but emotionally dense meditation on humanity, loneliness, and desire. While its surreal premise may not appeal to everyone, Kore-eda's tender direction and Bae Doona's haunting performance elevate it into something quietly unforgettable—best suited for fans of poetic drama and existential storytelling.
How long is Air Doll?
Air Doll runs for 112 minutes.
🎥 Trailer
Air Doll: A Poetic Parable About Life and Longing — Full Movie Info
Set against the neon-lit backdrops of Tokyo, *Air Doll* (2009) is a quietly unsettling yet tender drama from acclaimed director Hirokazu Kore-eda (*Shoplifters*). At its heart is Nozomi, a beguiling life-like inflatable doll who awakens one morning to discover she is no longer just an object of desire but a sentient being. When her solitary owner Junichi leaves for work, she slips into the city to explore, only to find herself drawn into a tender, improvised romance with him. As she navigates the mundane routines of adult life—clocking in at the same store where Junichi labors—her fragile existence begins to unravel in ways that question what it truly means to be human.
Kore-eda blends surreal fantasy with poignant realism, crafting a melancholic fable about isolation, longing, and the quiet desperation of connection in a modern urban landscape. With luminous performances led by Bae Doona's remarkably expressive presence and a dreamlike visual palette, *Air Doll* lingers like a fleeting dream—equal parts strange and deeply moving.
