Perfect Blue: A psychological thriller that stood the test of time

Perfect Blue is considered a cult classic today, having garnered a massive fan following since its release in 1997. This anime movie is directed by Satoshi Kon, renowned for his psychological thrillers and exceptional storytelling. There is a reason why this movie stood the test of time. One of the first observations that a viewer would make is the animation quality.

The hand-drawn animation style created a sense of fluidity that is hard to find in today’s anime titles. How Satoshi Kon composes his frames is a treat to the eyes. Furthermore, the color choices in the film perfectly complemented its overall mood.

Satoshi Kon has a way of portraying the characters’ psyches through colors. This is also why the blue-colored tones are prevalent in all frames whenever the character is experiencing sadness or dread.

The plot of Perfect Blue revolves around a young woman named Mima, a successful J-Pop idol who transitions into the film industry. This transition isn’t particularly smooth as she struggles with her identity. Furthermore, Mima’s choice to part ways with her idol group didn’t sit well with her fans. Unfortunately, an obsessive fan continued to stalk her during this entire process.

Perfect Blue also has an open-ended conclusion. The viewer in question has the opportunity to interpret the ending. Such films have a lasting impact on the viewer, which is also why it is one of the most celebrated films of all time. The intricate weaving of identities and a gripping plot make Perfect Blue an incredible psychological thriller.

Motifs explored in Perfect Blue

kay🍂

@ShimmerLea

Perfect Blue is one of those movies whose influence is impossible to overstate. It’s very much in the genre of “one of your favorite filmmaker’s favorite films.”

Several themes are explored in this incredibly complex movie. The most significant concept among the lot is that of identity. The protagonist in Perfect Blue is undergoing a massive transition in her life. Not only is she stepping into her adulthood, but she is also transitioning from a pop idol to an actress.

There aren’t defined lines during these periods of change. The lines that differentiate any two entities in her life start to blur. Furthermore, Satoshi Kon doesn’t shy away from breaking the fourth wall. This is an interesting concept that effectively pulls the audience out of the suspension of disbelief. It also negatively impacts the immersion.

However, the director chose to remove the audience from the immersion to question the very events taking place in the film. The events are no longer realistic but instead become surreal. There is a clear shift in the narrative, done by breaking the fourth wall and forcing the audience to think about the events, rather than experiencing them.

On a very surface level, Perfect Blue also explores the theme of obsession. Oftentimes, people tend to place celebrities on a pedestal. What starts as admiration slowly morphs into obsession. The deranged fan who followed Mima showcased the dark side of the entertainment industry. People in this industry have to endure such atrocities even before they become adults.

Trending

Perfect Blue is an incredibly complex yet thoroughly enjoyable film with incredible pacing. This is a film that stood the test of time. The themes explored are not obsolete and can be applied to everyone’s lives 28 years after their release. The animation quality and visuals are stunning. The film is incredible, both on the technical and narrative fronts. Therefore, we highly recommend this film to connoisseurs of psychological thrillers.

×

Was this article helpful?

Thank You for feedback