“This is why I can’t stand tourists.”
Hot Springs Shark Attack is certainly a surprise! Off-kilter and boundlessly ridiculous, this horror comedy takes the bite out of routine shark attacks with a unique approach to these underwater predators!
There is so much fun to be had in this exploitative shark movie from Japan that it’s hard to contain - let alone describe. The horror comedy is rich with kooky (but interesting) characters, strong set-ups (a specialty throughout this feature), and a twisted sense of humor which never ceases to surprise as a small town in Japan faces an uncertain future when a ferocious ancient shark is reawoken and starts attacking the local hot spring facilities - a source of revenue which must be protected at all costs!
Will baths ever be the same again?! Because this shark, never ceasing the attacks, is all about escalating threats and the townspeople, who don’t often see eye to eye, have to come together in order to protect what they hold most dear: their town.
With tongue planted firmly in cheek, Hot Spring Shark Attack presents viewers with a film which operates as a homage to JAWS and as a new entry into the insanely popular sub-genre of horror: shark flicks. This low-budget feature digs in with wild CGI moments that are laughably awful (it’s part of the joke here) and a whole lot of B-grade shark attacks which work to create a horror comedy that transcends the screen, feels energetic, and is fresh with barrels of over-the-top moments of hilarity.
Writer-director Morihito Inoue is clearly a fan of Steven Spielberg and, at almost every turn, there’s a reminder of what happened in Amity Island all those years ago. That shouldn’t give anyone a reason to pause, though. The homage here pays off nicely and creates a goofy mood that is, at once, memorable as the hamlet of Atsumi, aka “the Monaco of the East,” protects its only source of revenue from this aggressive monster: the hot springs.
The cast includes Takuya Fujimura (One Cut of the Dead), Daniel Aguilar (Shin Godzilla), Shôichirô Akaboshi, Masaki Naito, Koichi Makigami, Kiyobumi Kaneko, and Mio Takaki.
Utopia has announced the official release of the acclaimed shark film Hot Spring Shark Attack. Utopia will bring the Hot Spring Shark Attack to select theaters and major streaming and cable platforms on July 11. The film premiered at the 2024 Tokyo International Shark Film Festival, where it took home the Audience Award, and was released in Japan and other international territories last year.
Hot Spring Shark Attack will debut for special previews at various Alamo Drafthouse locations on Wednesday, July 9. The film will officially open theatrically for extended runs and special engagements Friday, July 11, including Los Angeles and New York City.
The same day, audiences across North America will be able to rent or own Hot Spring Shark Attack on Cable VOD and Digital HD, including Apple TV, Prime Video, Fandango at Home, iNDEMAND and Vubiquity.
With plenty of opportunities to share in madness, there’s really no excuse to miss the insanity when this deep-sea nightmare starts terrorizing bathhouses. Hot Springs Shark Attack is perfect for the summer madness!
MPAA Rating: Unrated.
Runtime: 70 mins
Director: Morihito Inoue
Writer: Morihito Inoue
Cast: Daniel Aguilar; Shôichirô Akaboshi; Takuya Fujimura
Genre: Action
Tagline:
Memorable Movie Quote: "Run! It's a trap by the shark."
Distributor: Utopia
Official Site:
Release Date: July 10, 2024
DVD/Blu-ray Release Date:
Synopsis: There have been cases of mysterious disappearances of onsen visitors in Atsumi city in S prefecture.The victims were eventually found dead with signs of severe injuries to their bodies resembling a vicious shark attack.
