3 Minutes
Takashi Miike's next horror gathers an international cast
Takashi Miike, one of Japan's most audacious filmmakers, is back with an untitled slasher currently being called Untitled Kyoto. Industry reports from ComingSoon and Deadline say the film has added a high-profile international ensemble: Norman Reedus, Millie Alcock, Kiko Mizuhara and Sho Kasamatsu. Pop star Charlie XCX is also attached in the key role of Kitty, placing a music-world face at the center of Miike’s latest nightmare.
Premise: a friendship trip turned nightmare
The plot follows three friends who travel to Kyoto hoping to mend their bond. What begins as a cultural getaway and personal reconnection shifts into terror when Kitty (Charlie XCX) becomes possessed by a bitter, violent spirit—turning an intimate reunion into a deadly survival story. Filming is slated to begin next month in Japan.
Between cult horror and contemporary slasher
Miike’s work immediately invites comparisons to cult touchstones like Audition and Ichi the Killer—films that made his name with transgressive, often unsettling visions of human cruelty. Untitled Kyoto, however, seems poised to blend supernatural possession with slasher mechanics: a hybrid that could echo the atmospheric dread of classic J-horror while delivering the visceral shocks modern global audiences expect.
Casting Reedus—a genre favorite from The Walking Dead—signals an obvious bid for international attention. Millie Alcock, coming up from high-profile TV work, and Kiko Mizuhara, a familiar figure in Asian cinema and fashion, suggest Miike is balancing star power with local authenticity.
Trivia & industry notes: Miike is reportedly developing Bad Lieutenant: Tokyo at the same time, underscoring his relentless productivity. Fans and horror communities have already begun speculating about tone and gore levels, with early social threads debating whether Miike will favor psychological dread or more explicit shock tactics.
A light critical perspective: bringing Western stars into a Japan-set story can widen appeal but raises questions about cultural portrayal and tonal coherence. If Miike leans into atmosphere, strong location work in Kyoto could make the city itself a character—elevating the film beyond slasher formulas.
For now, details are limited, but with this cast and Miike at the helm, Untitled Kyoto is shaping up to be a major talking point in international horror circles.
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