Scarlet (2025 film)

Scarlet
Japanese theatrical release poster
Japanese name
Kanji果てしなきスカーレット
Literal meaningEndless Scarlet
Transcriptions
Revised HepburnHateshinaki Sukāretto
Directed byMamoru Hosoda
Screenplay byMamoru Hosoda
Story byMamoru Hosoda
Produced by
Starring
Edited byShigeru Nishiyama
Music byTaisei Iwasaki
Production
companies
Distributed by
Release dates
  • September 4, 2025 (2025-09-04) (Venice)
  • November 21, 2025 (2025-11-21) (Japan)
  • February 6, 2026 (2026-02-06) (United States)
Running time
111 minutes[2]
CountryJapan
LanguageJapanese

Scarlet (Japanese: 果てしなきスカーレット, Hepburn: Hateshinaki Sukāretto; lit. 'Endless Scarlet') is a 2025 Japanese animated fantasy action film written and directed by Mamoru Hosoda, and produced by Studio Chizu. The film is inspired by the Shakespearean tragedy Hamlet[3] and follows the eponymous princess who can cross time and space on a quest of vengeance after her father is murdered.

Scarlet had its premiere out of competition at the 82nd Venice International Film Festival on September 4, 2025.[4] It was released theatrically in Japan on November 21, 2025, by Toho and Sony Pictures Entertainment Japan.[5][6][7]

Premise

Scarlet, a medieval-era, sword-fighting princess on a dangerous quest to avenge the death of her father is the protagonist of this powerful, timebending animated adventure. After failing in her mission and finding herself fatally injured in a surreal world, she encounters an idealistic young man from our present day who not only helps her to heal but shows her the possibility of a future free from bitterness and rage. When confronted once more by her father’s killer, Scarlet faces her most daunting battle: can she break the cycle of hatred and find meaning in life beyond revenge?

— Studio Chizu[4]

Voice cast

Character Japanese[8]
Scarlet Mana Ashida
Hijiri Masaki Okada
Claudius Koji Yakusho
Polonius Kazuhiro Yamaji
Laertes Tokio Emoto
Rosencrantz Munetaka Aoki
Guildenstern Shota Sometani
Girl Noa Shiroyama
Old woman Kayoko Shiraishi
Voltemand Kōtarō Yoshida
Gertrude Yuki Saito
Cornelius Yutaka Matsushige
Amlet Masachika Ichimura

Production

Mamoru Hosoda, the film's writer and director, stated that Scarlet will not use 2D animation nor "Hollywood-style CG", instead aiming for a different look.[9] The film took four and a half years to produce, longer than Hosoda's previous films, due to incorporated digital techniques for a more detailed aesthetic, including facial expressions that are uncommon in anime. Hosoda stated: “The detail on a lot of the characters and models is something that would be extremely challenging to do with 2D, if not impossible.”[10] Studio Chizu is producing the animation with the company also producing alongside Sony Pictures and Nippon Television.[9] Yuichiro Saito, Toshimi Tanio, and Nozomu Takahashi are credited as producers.[6]

Release

Toho distributed the film in Japanese theaters on November 21, 2025.[5][9] Originally, Sony was set to distribute the film internationally through Columbia Pictures, with them planning to release the film in North America three weeks after on December 12.[6][11] However, in August 2025, the film's North American release was transferred to Sony Pictures Classics, with the company planning an awards-qualifying run later that year, followed by a wider theatrical release on February 6, 2026.[1][12] Columbia retained its distribution rights elsewhere via Sony Pictures Releasing International.[13]

Reception

On review aggregator Rotten Tomatoes, the film holds a 74% approval rating based on 34 critic reviews. The website's critic consensus reads: "Scarlet is a narratively ambitious take on Hamlet that delivers awe-inspiring fantasy, wondrous animation, and an unforgettable atmosphere".[14]

Matthew Joseph Jenner from International Cinephile Society described the film as "not only a strong narrative work, but an accomplished visual and aural achievement", and noted "this is a film that will become more rewarding through multiple viewings".[15] IndieWire's film critic Adam Solomons referred to the film as a "visually impressive but narratively forgettable baroque fantasy".[16]

References

  1. ^ a b "SONY PICTURES CLASSICS TO RELEASE MAMORU HOSODA'S 'SCARLET' EXCLUSIVELY IN IMAX® ON FEBRUARY 6, 2026". Sony Pictures. November 19, 2025. Retrieved November 24, 2025.
  2. ^ "Scarlet (15)". British Board of Film Classification. November 28, 2025. Retrieved November 28, 2025.
  3. ^ James, Daron (November 19, 2025). "One Shot: In 'Scarlet,' another answer to the eternal question, 'To be or not to be?'". Los Angeles Times.
  4. ^ a b "Hateshinaki Scarlet (Scarlet)". Venice International Film Festival. Retrieved September 5, 2025.
  5. ^ a b Tai, Anita (April 28, 2025). "Mamoru Hosoda's Scarlet Anime Film Unveils November 21 Opening in Japan, December 12 in U.S. in Teaser". Anime News Network.
  6. ^ a b c Ramachandran, Naman (December 22, 2024). "'Belle' Director Mamoru Hosoda's Princess Tale 'Scarlet' Lands at Sony". Variety. Retrieved December 23, 2024.
  7. ^ "Toho and Sony Pictures to co-distribute director Mamoru Hosoda's latest film in Japan and worldwide". ソニー・ピクチャーズ エンタテインメント. Sony Pictures Entertainment (Japan) Inc. Retrieved November 16, 2025.
  8. ^ Mateo, Alex (July 3, 2025). "Mamoru Hosoda's Scarlet Anime Film Announces Main Cast". Anime News Network. Retrieved July 3, 2025.
  9. ^ a b c Hodgkins, Crystalyn (December 23, 2024). "Mamoru Hosoda Reveals Scarlet Anime Film for Release in Winter 2025". Anime News Network. Retrieved December 23, 2024.
  10. ^ Debruge, Peter (September 1, 2025). "'Scarlet' Director Mamoru Hosoda Bridges East and West With His Most Ambitious Anime Feature to Date". Variety. Retrieved September 4, 2025.
  11. ^ D'Alessandro, Anthony (April 28, 2025). "Sony's Mamoru Hosoda Animated 'Scarlet' To Slay Theaters In December". Deadline Hollywood.
  12. ^ "AMC Theaters". Retrieved September 9, 2025.
  13. ^ Kay, Jeremy (August 25, 2025). "Sony Pictures Classics takes over release of Venice-bound anime 'Scarlet' in North America". Screen Daily. Retrieved August 26, 2025.
  14. ^ "Scarlet (2025)". Rotten Tomatoes. Retrieved December 8, 2025.
  15. ^ Jenner, Matthew Joseph (September 4, 2025). "Venice 2025 review: Scarlet (Mamoru Hosoda)". International Cinephile Society. Retrieved September 5, 2025.
  16. ^ Solomons, Adam (September 4, 2025). "'Scarlet' Review: 'Belle' Director Mamoru Hosoda Returns with a Bloody Anime 'Hamlet' that Has Nothing to Say". IndieWire. Retrieved September 5, 2025.
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