The Bad Sleep Well
dir. Akira Kurosawa · 1960
Plot
It is a high-profile wedding: the daughter of Mr Iwabuchi, a wealthy businessman, is marrying Mr Nishi, a car salesman. However, Mr Iwabuchi and other senior members of his company are suspected of corporate malfeasance and the wedding becomes a bit of a farce, with the press swarming all over it. To add to the discord, the company officials are rather publicly reminded of an ignominious event which occurred a few years ago - a senior employee committed suicide by jumping from the 7th floor of their offices. Now other senior officials are committing suicide and it looks like it is related to that death of a few years ago.
Why watch
"The Bad Sleep Well" masterfully intertwines a dark corporate thriller with a poignant critique of societal norms, revealing the haunting consequences of institutional corruption and personal sacrifice. Kurosawa's meticulous direction and the film's tense atmosphere create a gripping experience that lingers long after the credits roll.