Over Your Dead Body (film)

Over Your Dead Body (Japanese: 死国, Shi Koku, literally "Death Country") is a 2014 Japanese horror film directed by Takashi Miike. The film is based on a 1825 ghost story play, Yotsuya Kaidan (Tales of Yotsuya Ghost) by Nanboku Tsuruya IV, and revolves around a theatre group rehearsing for the play who find their lives mirroring the tragic events depicted in the script. The film interweaves the on-stage performance with the increasingly horrifying off-stage realities of the actors, blurring the lines between fiction and reality.

The film's plot centers on Miyuki Goto, an actress who plays Oiwa, the vengeful ghost in Yotsuya Kaidan. Her partner, Kosuke, plays Iemon, Oiwa's unfaithful husband. As the rehearsals progress, the actors become consumed by their roles, and the dark themes of betrayal, jealousy, and murder begin to manifest in their personal lives. The boundary between the play and reality erodes, leading to a series of violent and supernatural occurrences that mirror the events of the Yotsuya Kaidan narrative.

The film is noted for its graphic violence, surreal imagery, and exploration of themes such as revenge, obsession, and the destructive power of jealousy. Miike's direction blends traditional Japanese folklore with modern horror elements, creating a visually striking and psychologically disturbing experience. It premiered at the 71st Venice International Film Festival.