Anticipation Poster

Anticipation 2019

★ 8.24 votes79 min📅 2019-04-06

Anticipation (2019), directed by Hidekazu Takahara, is a quietly unsettling Japanese drama that weaves together obsession and family secrets against the backdrop of a sun-drenched countryside.

Director: Hidekazu Takahara

Cast

Asuka Oda
Asuka Oda
Sayumi
Daisuke Ryū
Daisuke Ryū
Takashi Naha
Takashi Naha
Nana Nanaumi
Nana Nanaumi
Akio Hirose
Akio Hirose
Takashi Shigematsu
Takashi Shigematsu
Rinko Morikawa

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Anticipation (2019) about?

The film follows Todo, a wealthy older man, and Sayumi, a young woman searching for her father, whose paths collide when she visits a rural villa. Their bond deepens in unexpected ways, especially after Sayumi finds a painting of a girl who looks just like her, igniting a chain of revelations that challenge their relationship.

Who directed Anticipation?

Anticipation was directed by Hidekazu Takahara, known for his atmospheric storytelling and ability to blend drama with psychological tension.

Who stars in Anticipation?

The film stars Asuka Oda, Daisuke Ryū, Takashi Naha, Nana Nanaumi, and Akio Hirose in key roles.

Is Anticipation (2019) worth watching?

As a short but intense drama, Anticipation (2019) offers a slow-burn exploration of obsession and identity that will appeal to fans of atmospheric, character-driven films. Its themes and tone make it a niche but memorable experience, though those expecting conventional romance may find it unsettling.

How long is Anticipation?

Anticipation has a runtime of 79 minutes.

About Anticipation (2019) — A Forbidden Summer Romance Where Secrets Unfold

Anticipation (2019), directed by Hidekazu Takahara, is a quietly unsettling Japanese drama that weaves together obsession and family secrets against the backdrop of a sun-drenched countryside. When elderly Todo spots Sayumi wandering a midsummer graveyard, clutching an urn that contains his late mother's ashes, a connection forms between them that blurs the lines between paternal longing and forbidden desire. Their relationship takes an eerie turn when Sayumi discovers a portrait of a girl who looks exactly like her—Kazumi—hinting at hidden identities and unresolved pasts. As an uninvited guest arrives, the emotional undercurrents spiral into something darker, revealing the fragile boundaries between love, obsession, and the shadows of memory.

Set in a sun-bleached villa where time seems to stand still, the film explores themes of identity, legacy, and the haunting nature of unresolved attachments. Takahara crafts a moody, atmospheric narrative that lingers in the mind long after the credits roll, making Anticipation (2019) a compelling watch for fans of slow-burn dramas that linger on the edges of psychological tension.