Air Doll
2009 · Movie · NR · 112 min · ★ 6.9 · 65% critics
A life-size inflatable doll unexpectedly comes to life and quietly slips out to explore the city for the first time. As she takes a job, experiences everyday moments, and begins a tentative romance, her search for connection and meaning turns into a tender, bittersweet look at loneliness and what it means to feel real.
Also known as Kûki ningyô · Kuki Ningyo
Where to watch
Watch free on Tubi and Amazon Prime Video — also streaming on Amazon Prime Video and MUBI.
2 hours to watch.
Stream (included)
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
- 空気人形
- Years
- 2009
- Release date
- 2009-09-26
- Language
- Japanese
- Rated
- NR
- Runtime
- 112 min
- Max quality
- HD
- Critic score
- 65/100
- TMDB rating
- 6.9/10 (281 votes)
About
You’ll likely enjoy this if you’re open to a quiet, offbeat romance-fantasy that mixes sweetness with melancholy and asks you to accept its premise, like After Life; not for you if you need fast pacing, clear explanations, or a consistently upbeat tone.
Pros: original premise; tender, poetic mood; touching look at loneliness | Cons: slow pacing; unanswered questions; uneven emotional payoff
Themes
- japan
- based on manga
- blow up doll
- living doll
- urban loneliness
Awards & recognition
- Japan Academy Prize — Outstanding Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role · 2010 · nominated
- Asian Film Award — Best Actress · 2009 · nominated
Cast & crew
Bae Doona
as Nozomi
Arata Iura
as Junichi
Itsuji Itao
as Hideo
Joe Odagiri
as Sonoda
Sumiko Fuji
as Chiyoko
Masaya Takahashi
as Keiichi
Kimiko Yo
as Receptionist Yoshiko
Ryo Iwamatsu
as Video Shop Owner
Tomomi Maruyama
as Shinji
Miu Naraki
as Moe
Directed by Hirokazu Kore-eda