Onibaba
1964 · Movie · 105 min · ★ 7.7 · 85% critics
Set during civil war and famine, a woman and her daughter-in-law survive by killing samurai who wander into their swamp and trading the valuables they find. After learning their son has died, the widow’s life turns toward a neighbor returning from the war, while the older woman’s control—and a mysterious mask—bring fear to their home.
Also known as Devil Woman · La femme diabolique · The Demon · The Demoness
Where to watch
Streaming on HBO Max and The Criterion Channel — or rent from $3.59.
2 hours to watch.
Stream (included)
Rent
Streaming availability and prices may be inaccurate or change — verify with the provider before subscribing.
unSUB's subscription recommendations are informational only, not financial advice.
More value for your money
Similar titles, ranked by watch-hours per subscription dollar.
Details
- Original title
- 鬼婆
- Years
- 1964
- Release date
- 1964-11-21
- Language
- Japanese
- Runtime
- 105 min
- Critic score
- 85/100
- TMDB rating
- 7.7/10 (481 votes)
About
You’ll likely enjoy this if you want bleak, atmospheric Japanese horror rooted in survival, lust, and fear, with a creepy mask at the center; Not for you if you need fast pacing or prefer horror that arrives right away, like Black Cat or Kwaidan.
Pros: atmospheric reed-filled setting; dread-filled supernatural themes; intense survival drama | Cons: slow early pacing; disturbing violence and nudity; uneven horror buildup
Themes
- japan
- samurai
- jealousy
- desertion
- hold-up robbery
- bamboo hut
- survival
- murder
- black and white
- demon
- jidaigeki
- sengoku period
- +1 more
Cast & crew
Nobuko Otowa
as Woman
Jitsuko Yoshimura
as Young Woman
Kei Satō
as Hachi
Jūkichi Uno
as The Samurai
Taiji Tonoyama
as Ushi
- SM
Someshō Matsumoto
as Runaway Warrior
- KK
Kentarô Kaji
as Runaway Warrior
Fudeko Tanaka
as Old Woman
- HY
Hiroyoshi Yamaguchi
as Horse Riding Samurai
Hiroshi Tanaka
as Horse Riding Samurai
Directed by Kaneto Shindō