In short: Hydra (2019)

Takashi (Masanori Mimoto) is a quiet yet rather intense guy working as a cook in the titular small restaurant/bar in Tokyo. He’s a bit of a mystery to young bar owner Rina (Miu), but she clearly sees him as her slightly weird brotherly protector. Which Takashi in a way is, for he once worked as an assassin for a secret group murdering untouchable baddies in ways that don’t embarrass the establishment. Rina’s father (Yoji Tanaka), who officially disappeared three years ago, was something of Takashi’s mentor, yet it is also Takashi who is responsible for his death.

Obviously, the past is not going to stay dead, and soon Rina and Takashi will find themselves enmeshed in a fight between Takashi’s old group and a much more malevolent force that operates in a similar style.

Kensuke Sonomura’s Hydra is a somewhat frustrating film. It’s not because what’s there is bad, but rather because its miniscule 77 minutes runtime (and probably its small budget) is absolutely not enough to flesh out concepts and characters in a way that feels satisfying. I’m usually the first to say a film could use a good shortening, but here, it is absolutely the opposite.

This isn’t quite as bad as it could be because Sonomura (otherwise a stunt specialist) is a rather efficient director who doesn’t waste any time anywhere, though he still does understand the need for calm moments (which also happen to be cheaper). But there’s really only so much anyone can squeeze into any given amount of time, so much of the narrative feels rushed and lacks detail.

On the visual side on the other hand, there’s little to complain about here. Sonomura is particularly good at mood-enhancing shots of Tokyo, but there’s also quite a bit of careful framing in the character moments on display, the sort of basics that make one hope a director will get more opportunities.

Last but certainly not least, the film’s three main action sequences are absolutely great, simple, nearly minimalist in set-up and surroundings but staged and executed with verve and visual intelligence, violent and elegant at the same time.

Which may not turn Hydra into the satisfying narrative it could be, but should certainly make it worth watching.