Scarlet (2025) Review: A Princess, the Afterlife, and Revenge

This Scarlet review starts with a simple question: what happens when a revenge tale leaves the world of the living? Mamoru Hosoda's animated fantasy borrows from Shakespeare's Hamlet and sends its heroine on a journey through a strange afterlife. It is ambitious, gorgeous in places, and sometimes frustratingly straightforward.

Scarlet Review: The Story So Far (No Spoilers)

The Scarlet plot follows a princess who sets out to avenge her father's murder. She fails, and she wakes in the "Land of the Dead," a place of madness where time and rules bend. There she learns the stakes: if she doesn't get her revenge on her nemesis and reach the "No End Place," she will become "Void" and vanish.

The Hamlet connection is loose but clear. The cast includes figures named Claudius, Cornelius and Voltemand, and the villain is the king's own relative. Early in her journey Scarlet teams up with Hijiri, a gentle young paramedic from the 21st century, and the film asks whether a life driven by anger can ever lead anywhere good.

The film runs 112 minutes and arrives in the Japanese release schedule on 21 November 2025, which makes the Scarlet release date easy to place for fans of Hosoda's earlier work. I can't confirm streaming plans, so check your local listings for where to watch Scarlet.

What Works in Scarlet

The central idea is the film's strongest card. Setting a revenge story in a realm where hesitation can erase you gives the hero a ticking clock that is also a moral test. Every detour feels like a risk.

The pairing of Scarlet and Hijiri gives the film its heart. She is hardened by grief and duty, while he is idealistic and quick to ask whether there is another way. Their clash of outlooks is the most engaging thread in the story.

As an animation release, it also offers real spectacle. Hosoda is known for imaginative worlds, and the Land of the Dead gives him room for large, strange settings and action sequences. The film blends action with fantasy and a touch of romance, and it mostly keeps those flavors in balance.

Scarlet Cast and Performances

The Scarlet cast is led in Japanese by Mana Ashida, who voices the princess. Masaki Okada voices Hijiri, the modern-day paramedic who becomes her unlikely ally.

The supporting voices add weight to the royal intrigue:

• Koji Yakusho as Claudius

• Yutaka Matsushige as Cornelius

• Kotaro Yoshida as Voltemand

• Masachika Ichimura as Amulet

Ashida carries the emotional arc of a character who begins consumed by rage. Yakusho, a respected name in Japanese cinema, brings a commanding presence to the scheming Claudius.

Where Scarlet Stumbles

The biggest complaint among early viewers is that the narrative can feel linear. One user reviewer on TMDB noted how straightforward the film's structure seemed, and it's easy to see why. The journey moves from place to place without always building the surprise that its fantastical setting promises.

The Hamlet inspiration is another double-edged sword. It gives the story a sturdy backbone, but viewers who know the play may find the adaptation too loose to feel fresh, while newcomers may find some of the royal politics thin.

The tone can also wobble. Hosoda mixes grim revenge, afterlife fantasy and tender romance, and the shifts between them don't always land smoothly. Audience reaction has been positive but not rapturous, with a TMDB score of 6.9 out of 10 from 149 votes.

Is Scarlet Worth Watching?

Yes, Scarlet is worth watching if you enjoy ambitious animation and don't mind a story that plays it fairly straight. It is not Hosoda's most polished work, but its themes of grief, anger and what comes after are handled with sincerity.

The film earns its recommendation through imagination and the central duo. Even when the plot feels predictable, the world it builds keeps you looking. Expect a solid, thoughtful fantasy rather than a game-changing classic.

If you like the genre, you can browse more fantasy movie reviews on our site, and Hosoda fans can read more about the film on Wikipedia).

Who Will Enjoy Scarlet

• Fans of Mamoru Hosoda and thoughtful Japanese animation

• Viewers who like Shakespeare-inspired stories reimagined in fantasy settings

• Anyone who wants an action-driven adventure with emotional, reflective themes