Movie Review: Perfect Blue is a Timeless Thriller

I recently watched Perfect Blue only to be stunned by the storytelling and familiarity. For context, the movie follows Mima, a former pop star icon who is transitioning into the acting world. A lot of her fans are angry with the decision as she starts to embrace a more mature audience by acting in a rape scene and modeling nude. Throughout the movie, Mima struggles with an identity crisis of sorts as she deals with the reality that she might fail in her new profession and that maybe she is just a pop star.

Can’t really spoil much more but there are so many twists and turns in this movie and this movie really keeps you guessing. The pacing in this movie makes you feel like you are experiencing the same emotions as Mima. For example, there is a part of the movie where Mima feels haunted by her past and she has constant days where she has nightmares that intertwine with her present living and you can’t really tell what is real and what is fake.

When I say familiar, it is clear that this movie is the archetype for a lot of psychological thrillers. Darren Aronofsky, the director of classics like Black Swan and Requiem for a Dream both have shots that take from Perfect Blue and Black Swan’s plot resembles Perfect Blue. Although they resemble Perfect Blue, Perfect Blue is better in my opinion as it has horror elements and psychological elements that have better effects because the film is animated. I always love movies that deal with expectations and internal struggles with characters on if they can get past their past. I really loved this movie and it seriously has to be one of my favorite movies ever. It is way ahead of its time as it almost predicts K-pop popularity and the impact of celebrities in the age of the internet.