The Eel · LeviOsa

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The Eel · LeviOsa

The Eel key art

DramaCrime1h 57m

🍅83%

🍅

83%

Tomatometer

🍿

81%

Popcornmeter

6.9

TMDB

Storyline

A businessman kills his adulterous wife and is sent to prison. After his release, he opens a barbershop and meets new people, talking to almost no one except for an eel he befriended while in prison.

Trailers

2 videos

The Eel trailer thumbnail

『うなぎ』予告編｜ The Eel - Trailer HD

The Eel (1997) ORIGINAL TRAILER [ENG SUB]

The Eel (1997) ORIGINAL TRAILER [ENG SUB]

Details

DirectorShōhei Imamura

ReleasedMay 12, 1997

StatusReleased

Original languageJapanese

Budget

Not disclosed

Revenue

Not disclosed

Parental guideUFR

Studios

Eisei GekijoGroove CorporationImamura Productions

Shochiku

Cast

Koji Yakusho

Koji Yakusho

Takuro Yamashita

Misa Shimizu

Misa Shimizu

Keiko Hattori

Akira Emoto

Akira Emoto

Tamotsu Takasaki

Fujio Tokita

Fujio Tokita

Jiro Nakajima

Mitsuko Baisho

Mitsuko Baisho

Misako Nakajima

Show Aikawa

Show Aikawa

Yuji Nozawa

Ken Kobayashi

Ken Kobayashi

Masaki Saito

Sabu Kawahara

Sabu Kawahara

Seitaro Misato

Etsuko Ichihara

Etsuko Ichihara

Fumie Hattori

Tomorowo Taguchi

Tomorowo Taguchi

Eiji Dojima

Chiho Terada

Chiho Terada

Emiko Yamashita

Sanshō Shinsui

Sanshō Shinsui

Doctor

Where to watch(NG)

Stream

Criterion Channel

Reviews

6 reviews · 5 critics

5 fresh · 0 rotten

J

Jake Cole

RTSlant MagazineApr 17, 2025

Like much of Imamura Shôhei’s work, The Eel deals frankly with matters of sex and sexuality, but with an emotional detachment akin to an anthropological study.

K

Kevin Thomas

RTLos Angeles TimesFeb 14, 2001

Unpredictable and captivating.

M

Marc Savlov

RTAustin ChronicleJan 1, 2000

A flash of quiet brilliance that resonates long after the images have faded from the screen.

M

Marcelo Paredes

RTCinencuentroJul 20, 2026

...The Eel ultimately constructs a story that insists that, even when all seems lost, it is still possible to do something to change our situation. It is still possible to find some order, some clarity, and some light. [Full review in Spanish]

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More trailers on YouTube

Information

Title

The Eel

Released

May 12, 1997

Rated

U

Region of Origin

Japan

Original Audio

Japanese

Runtime

1h 57m

Status

Released

Studios

Eisei Gekijo, Groove Corporation

The Public Eye