Air Doll
5/17/2026:
Oh wow, I was not expecting to love this movie but I really did! The plot synopsis really sounds like this would be a weird movie and although it kind of is, it's one of the best movies I have seen about the human condition. The main character is a fish out of water coming into a world she doesn't understand and there's comparisons to many other stories like that. The most obvious one is The Little Mermaid, but there are a few more obscure references that I am sure only I would know of. This movie also touches on what it means to have a soul, human connection, and so many other complicated human experiences! This mixes them all in such a profound way that I was tearing up over the main character when I was expecting almost nothing from this movie.
The main character is played by Bae Doona who I am slowly falling in love with. I first really noticed her in Sympathy for Mr. Vengeance, but I have seen 5 of her movies now and she has never given a bad performance! In this one, she has so much range for the different personalities she has as her character grows and learns about the world! She is amazing and I will need to check out more of her movies very soon! The other characters are all amazing as well and have very interesting arcs in the background to Bae Doona's character.
This is also surprising because this has beaten "Shoplifters" as my favorite Hirokazu Kore-eda film! Both this and Shoplifters not only have some of the most amazing characters but they also both have great pacing, which I have lamented that Hirokazu Kore-eda has some issues with. The reason why Air Doll gets a 10/10 on my first watch is everything that I have already said, but also because I feel like it just is Hirokazu Kore-eda at his best. It's heartwarming, depressing and profound! I felt so many emotions with this movie and it's among the films that I would call my favorites!
Oh wow, I was not expecting to love this movie but I really did! The plot synopsis really sounds like this would be a weird movie and although it kind of is, it's one of the best movies I have seen about the human condition. The main character is a fish out of water coming into a world she doesn't understand and there's comparisons to many other stories like that. The most obvious one is The Little Mermaid, but there are a few more obscure references that I am sure only I would know of. This movie also touches on what it means to have a soul, human connection, and so many other complicated human experiences! This mixes them all in such a profound way that I was tearing up over the main character when I was expecting almost nothing from this movie.
The main character is played by Bae Doona who I am slowly falling in love with. I first really noticed her in Sympathy for Mr. Vengeance, but I have seen 5 of her movies now and she has never given a bad performance! In this one, she has so much range for the different personalities she has as her character grows and learns about the world! She is amazing and I will need to check out more of her movies very soon! The other characters are all amazing as well and have very interesting arcs in the background to Bae Doona's character.
This is also surprising because this has beaten "Shoplifters" as my favorite Hirokazu Kore-eda film! Both this and Shoplifters not only have some of the most amazing characters but they also both have great pacing, which I have lamented that Hirokazu Kore-eda has some issues with. The reason why Air Doll gets a 10/10 on my first watch is everything that I have already said, but also because I feel like it just is Hirokazu Kore-eda at his best. It's heartwarming, depressing and profound! I felt so many emotions with this movie and it's among the films that I would call my favorites!
Mini Review: Oh wow, I was not expecting to love this movie as much as I did! The bizarre premise becomes one of the most touching films I’ve seen about the human condition, exploring loneliness, love, souls, and human connection in such a profound way that I genuinely teared up by the end. Bae Doona is phenomenal and gives such a layered performance. This also surpassed Shoplifters as my favorite Hirokazu Kore-eda film!
Watch the Trailer