Scarlet (2025) Review, Mamoru Hosoda’s Dark Fantasy Movie Feels Different From His Previous Works

Scarlet : When I first heard that Mamoru Hosoda was making another movie after Belle, I expected something emotional and visually beautiful. After watching the trailers for Scarlet, though, it was clear that this wasn’t going to be another family-focused fantasy. The darker atmosphere and revenge-driven story immediately caught my attention.

What surprised me the most was how different the movie feels compared to Hosoda’s previous works. Instead of focusing on everyday relationships, Scarlet explores grief, revenge, and forgiveness through a world that feels mysterious and dreamlike.

Movie Details

Why I Was Interested In Scarlet

I’ve always enjoyed Mamoru Hosoda’s films because they usually balance emotional storytelling with beautiful visuals. Movies like Wolf Children and Belle managed to leave a strong impression on me, so naturally I became curious when Scarlet was announced.

The trailers gave off a much darker feeling. The image of a princess covered in blood while carrying a sword felt completely different from anything Hosoda had done before. It looked more like a fantasy revenge story than a typical emotional drama.

Story Review

The movie follows Princess Scarlet, whose father is murdered. Driven by revenge, she begins a journey that takes her through strange places that exist between life and death. Along the way, she meets Hijiri, a young man from the present day whose way of thinking slowly challenges her desire for revenge.

At first, the movie feels like a straightforward revenge story. Scarlet is angry, determined, and willing to do anything to reach her enemy. But as the story continues, it becomes more about forgiveness and whether holding onto hatred really brings peace.

I liked that the movie wasn’t simply about defeating villains. It constantly asks whether revenge actually solves anything. Some moments felt emotional, while others felt strange and unexpected.

There are parts where the story slows down considerably. A few scenes and musical sequences feel out of place, and sometimes the pacing becomes uneven. Because of that, I found myself enjoying certain sections much more than others.

Still, I appreciated how ambitious the film was. Even when it doesn’t fully succeed, it always tries something interesting.

Characters Review

Scarlet

Scarlet is easily the strongest part of the movie. Her anger and pain make her feel believable. Throughout the story, she slowly changes as she begins to question her own feelings.

Hijiri

Hijiri acts as the opposite of Scarlet. He believes people can move forward without revenge. His presence creates many emotional moments, although some viewers may find his ideals too simple.

The Villains

The antagonists are effective enough to support the story, but they are not particularly memorable compared to Scarlet herself.

Animation And Visuals

This might be one of the most visually ambitious movies Mamoru Hosoda has made. The combination of CG and traditional animation creates some beautiful scenes. The landscapes often reminded viewers of fantasy games because of their mysterious atmosphere.

Not every visual choice works perfectly, but the movie never looks ordinary. Some scenes are breathtaking, especially the action sequences involving Scarlet’s sword.

Music

The soundtrack fits the emotional tone very well. While there aren’t many songs that stayed in my head after the movie ended, the background music helped create a mysterious atmosphere throughout the journey.

Things I Enjoyed

• Scarlet herself is a compelling protagonist.
• The visual style is unique.
• The themes of forgiveness and grief are interesting.
• Action scenes are enjoyable.
• The movie constantly tries new ideas.

Things That Didn’t Work For Me

• The pacing can feel inconsistent.
• Some scenes feel unnecessarily strange.
• Certain emotional moments don’t land as strongly as they should.
• The story becomes confusing in places.

My Favorite Moment

One of my favorite moments was seeing Scarlet slowly begin to question whether revenge would actually give her peace. That internal conflict made her feel more human and added emotional weight to her journey.

Who Should Watch Scarlet?

Recommended For

• Fans of Mamoru Hosoda’s movies.
• Viewers who enjoy dark fantasy stories.
• People who like emotional themes mixed with action.
• Those interested in unique animation styles.

Not Recommended For

• Viewers looking for a simple action movie.
• People who dislike slow pacing.
• Those expecting another movie similar to Belle.

My Rating

Scarlet isn’t my favorite Mamoru Hosoda film, but I admire how ambitious it is. It takes risks, explores difficult themes, and delivers some fantastic visuals. Not every idea works perfectly, but I enjoyed the experience and found myself thinking about the movie long after it ended.

For fans of dark fantasy and emotional stories, Scarlet is worth watching, even if it doesn’t reach the heights of Wolf Children or Belle.

FAQ

Is Scarlet (2025) worth watching?

Yes. If you enjoy dark fantasy and emotional stories, it’s worth checking out.

Is Scarlet based on Hamlet?

Yes. The movie takes inspiration from Shakespeare’s Hamlet and reimagines it with Princess Scarlet as the main character.

Is Scarlet connected to Belle?

No. It is a completely separate story from Mamoru Hosoda’s previous films.

Is Scarlet action-heavy?

Not really. While there are action scenes, the movie focuses more on emotions, grief, and forgiveness.

What is the strongest aspect of Scarlet?

Its visuals and the character of Scarlet herself are easily the highlights of the film.