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Death Note
デスノート
2006 126 min Japan R 12+
★7.3
Fantasy, Mystery, Thriller
Director: Shûsuke Kaneko
💬 Based on the comic
«Death Note»
byTsugumi Ohba
Trailers
Description
Light Yagami finds the "Death Note," a notebook with the power to kill, and decides to create a Utopia by killing the world's criminals, and soon the world's greatest detective, "L," is hired to find the mysterious murderer. An all out battle between the two greatest minds on earth begins and the winner will control the world.
Budget:
$20M
Worldwide:
$29.67M
Starring
Tatsuya Fujiwara
Actor
Ken'ichi Matsuyama
Actor
Asaka Seto
Actor
Awards
4 wins & 3 nominations total
Key opinion
The 2006 Death Note adaptation is a polarizing work that creates a sharp divide between newcomers and devoted fans of the source material. While many praise the film's philosophical questions and the performances of the leads, others feel it fails to replicate the tension and character depth of the manga and anime.
| Acting | Kenichi Matsuyama delivers a standout performance as L, capturing the character's signature quirks and physical mannerisms. | |
| Production | The CGI for the shinigami Ryuk is widely criticized as being primitive and jarring, though some viewers appreciate his presence as a character. | |
| Acting | Opinions on the performance of Tatsuya Fujiwara as Light are divided; some praise his range and charisma, while others find his portrayal lacking the calculated brilliance of the original character. | |
| Adaptation | The adaptation deviates significantly from the source material by adding unnecessary subplots and altering character motivations, which alienates many franchise fans. | |
| Theme | The narrative successfully retains the core philosophical dilemma regarding justice and morality, sparking meaningful reflection for many viewers. | |
| Score | The film's technical execution is frequently cited as cheap or uninspired, with many noting that the musical score lacks the impact of the anime. |