Strange Circus – New Wave Video (Blu-ray)

Theatrical Release Date: Japan, 2005
Director: Sion Sono
Writer: Sion Sono
Cast: Masumi Miyazaki, Issei Ishida, Rie Kuwana, Seiko Iwaido, Fujiko, Madame Regine, Tomorowo Taguchi, Hiroshi Ôguchi

Release Date: November 14th, 2025
Approximate Running Time: 108 Minutes 18 Seconds
Aspect Ratio: 1.85:1 Widescreen / 1080 Progressive / MPEG-4 AVC
Rating: NR (Australia)
Sound: LPCM Stereo Japanese
Subtitles: English
Region Coding: Region Free
Retail Price: $34.95 AUD (Australia)

"Step into a world where reality and illusion intertwine in this haunting and surreal tale of identity, trauma, and hidden truths. When a mysterious writer named Taeko begins crafting a disturbing novel about a young girl named Mitsuko, who is subjected to unimaginable abuse by her father—a story that blurs the lines between author and character—the boundaries between truth and fiction begin to dissolve. As these two elements collide, a dark and suspenseful mystery unfolds, culminating in a shocking climax that lingers in the mind long after the curtains fall." - synopsis provided by the distributor

Video: 4.5/5

Here’s the information provided about this release's transfer, "A high-definition master was provided to New Wave Video by Sedic International."

Strange Circus comes on a 50 GB dual layer Blu-ray.

Disc Size: 45.4 GB

Feature: 27.9 GB

My only reference point is TLA’s 2007 DVD release, and this new release from New Wave Video is a marked improvement over that release. Flesh tones look healthy, colors are nicely saturated, image clarity, contrast, and compression are solid, black levels are strong, and there are no issues with digital noise reduction.

Audio: 5/5

This release comes with one audio option, a LPCM stereo mix in Japanese with removable English subtitles. The audio sounds excellent; dialogue always comes through clearly, and everything sounds balanced and robust when it should.

Extras:

Extras for this release include a theatrical trailer (1 minute 55 seconds, LPCM stereo Japanese, no subtitles), an archival making-of documentary (69 minutes 14 seconds, LPCM stereo Japanese with removable English subtitles), an interview with actor Issei Ishida (22 minutes 51 seconds, LPCM stereo Japanese with non-removable English subtitles), an interview with director Sion Sono titled Ero Guro Circus (19 minutes 31 seconds, LPCM stereo Japanese with non-removable English subtitles), a video essay by Suzanne Boleyn titled Strange Circus—An Ero Guro Legacy (33 minutes 8 seconds, LPCM stereo English, no subtitles), reversible cover art, a UV/Spot Gloss slipcover, and a 26-page booklet with an essay titled The Strang Circus of the Mind: Identity as Performance Art written by Michelle Kisner, an essay titled Sion Sono: The Wizard of Oz written by Nikodem Karolak, and information about the transfer.

Summary:

Sion Sono directed Strange Circus. He’s known for Suicide Club, Noriko’s Dinner Table, Exte: Hair Extensions, Cold Fish, and Love Exposure. 

A reclusive erotic novelist is forced to confront her past when her latest novel appears to be based more on fact than fiction.

“It’s almost like I was born on the execution stand, anyway. If not, I was born to my mother as she awaited execution. I’ve been standing in for her there ever since.” - Mitsuko Ozawa

“Many execution tools are hidden all over the house. As I grew up, I began to notice the traps everywhere. If you don’t figure them out, you’re dead.” - Mitsuko Ozawa

Sion Sono is a filmmaker who is constantly pushing boundaries by taking on dark subject matter that provokes and revolts while, at the same time, being thought-provoking. Strange Circus offers a stark exploration of physical and sexual abuse and its devastating impact on victims. Themes of pain, suffering, and identity are central to the narrative that unfolds.

One of the most fascinating aspects of Strange Circus is how Sion Sono twists fact and fiction. By the end, the narrative has totally eschewed one's sense of what really happened, leaving the story open for multiple interpretations. Was everything a figment of the author’s imagination or was the story autobiographical? Who is Mitsuko and what really happened to her? Like a complicated puzzle, the plot lays many traps along the way.

After a decade away from acting, Masumi Miyazaki would return and take on three roles—Sayuri, Mitsuko, and Taeko—in Strange Circus. She creates three different personas that are all utterly believable, delivering what is arguably her best performance. Rie Kuwana and Seiko Iwaido are both excellent in the role of young Mitsuko, delivering performances beyond their years. By far the most disturbing performance is Hiroshi Ôguchi, who portrays Gôzô Ozawa, Sayuri’s perverse husband and Mitsuko’s abusive father.

From a production standpoint, there is no area where Strange Circus does not excel. The production design is exemplary, and visually the striking use of colors greatly heightens the mood. Another area where the visuals excel is how they perfectly lend themselves to the underlying themes of deception and betrayal. The most visually striking moments occur when the camera transitions between Mitsuko and her Sayuri, highlighting their duality. Ultimately, Strange Circus is an extraordinary film that warrants multiple viewings to fully grasp the complexities beneath the surface.

If you are a fan of Sion Sono or this film, you should definitely consider owning this release. It is region-free, and the packaging does not include any ratings logos. That said, Strange Circus gets an exceptional release from New Wave Video that comes with a solid audio/video presentation and insightful extras, highly recommended.

Note: This edition is limited to 1000 units.

 

Written by Michael Den Boer