If there’s one thing any sci-fi fan worth their salt will tell you, it’s never ignore the efforts of the Far East. Lest we forget South Korea’s Mimic (2017) Train to Busan (2016) and The Host (2006).

Having impressed audiences on the festival circuit, it looks as though Japanese science fiction feature, Before We Vanish, will be the next must-see, big budget import.

The Daily Beast said, “This is the f**cked up sci-fi movie of the year” and you’ll see that pull-quote proudly emblazoned across your screen at the end of the trailer. Similarly, Roger Ebert said, “You won’t see anything else quite like it this year.”

Director Kiyoshi Kurosawa (Pulse, Tokyo Sonata) has reinvented the alien movie as a unique and profoundly human tale of love and mystery, according to the press release. “Equally hilarious, thrilling, and profound, Kurosawa reminds audiences of the continued strength of one of Japanese cinema’s most unique auteurs – and the value of the human spirit,” it says.

It stars Masami Nagasawa, Ryûhei Matsuda and Hiroki Hasegawa. The plot revolves around three aliens who travel to Earth on a reconnaissance mission in preparation for a mass invasion. Having taken possession of human bodies, the visitors rob the hosts of their essence – good, evil, property, family, belonging – leaving only hollow shells, which are all but unrecognisable to their loved ones.

Rory O’Conner said after he saw it at Cannes, “An alien-invasion B-movie packed with A-grade ideas and craft.”

Before We Vanish will receive a limited US release on February 2nd. Unfortunately, a UK release hasn’t been announced, which is bit of a poor show.

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