15 Best Japanese Movies about Psychopath

People have a special affection for thriller films. Countless movies of this genre have been released, each creating a chilling sense of horror. Yet, intriguingly, these films continue to attract a large audience.

Given the large number of thriller titles produced by global filmmakers, this time we will recommend some exciting Japanese psychopathic movies. To satisfy your curiosity, here's a selection of Japanese psychopath films that promise a spine-chilling experience.

1. Missing

Following the loss of his beloved wife, Satoshi Harada's (Jiro Sato) life takes a turn for the worse. Struggling with intense grief and a mounting pile of debt, Satoshi's depressive state becomes a source of concern for his high school-aged daughter, Kaede (Aoi Ito).

Determined to overcome his financial difficulties, Satoshi decides to track down a serial killer terrorizing their local area, lured by a huge reward promised to whoever captures the culprit. Satoshi is convinced that this prize will help clear his debts.

At first, Kaede thinks that her father's big plan is just a lot of talk, but she finds herself struck by anxiety when Satoshi disappears without a trace one morning. As the days pass with no news of her father, Kaede sets out to find him, only to cross paths with the serial killer. The question remains - will Kaede be able to reunite with her father?

Missing starts off as a conventional thriller mystery, only to gradually lead the audience down a path exploring the complexities of human emotions with a surprising plot twist.

2. Lesson in Murder

What would happen if a serial killer who was convicted claimed his innocence in some of the cases he was accused of committing? Would we consider his statement to be credible? This is the situation that Masaya Kakei (Koshi Mizukami), an introverted college student who is always depressed, is dealing with.

Masaya unexpectedly receives a letter one day from Yamato Haimura (Sadao Abe), a serial killer convicted for eight murders, for which he has been sentenced to death. Surprisingly, Yamato operated a bakery at the time and Masaya who was still a high school student, happened to be one of his customers.

In this surprising letter, Yamato strongly claims his innocence in the final murder attributed to him.

Despite his initial uncertainty, Masaya is driven by the letter to dig deeper into Yamato Haimura's final case. Can Masaya uncover the truth behind the accusations from the serial killer?

Besides its gripping plot, Lesson in Murder stands out by Sadao Abe's chilling performance as the terrifying serial killer.

His portrayal of Yamato Haimura, a seemingly average individual with a deeply psychopathic persona, will give you the creeps. He masterfully portrays a range of characteristics from being evil, calm and to even showing a lack of emotion in every scene he's involved in.

3. Killers

Killers is a collaboration film between Japanese and Indonesian production houses, that narrates the dark tale of Shuhei Nomura (Kazuki Kitamura), a psychopathic young businessman from Japan who takes pleasure in sharing videos of his murders online.

Nomura's disturbing videos eventually serve as inspiration for Bayu (portrayed by Oka Antara), a young Indonesian journalist. As his career starts to fall apart due to his attempts to expose corruption committed by sneaky politicians, Bayu decides to take drastic turn.

He establishes communication with the psychopath, and the two of them come up with a gruesome plan together. The question that lingers is -What crimes have these two committed?

This collaboration between Nakatsu Japan and Guerilla Merah Films brings forth a chilling movie that every fan of psychological thrillers must watch.

4. Museum

After the death of his wife, Detective Hiashi Sawamura (Shun Oguri) channels his stress into work, prioritizing it over his family.

One day, Sawamura is faced with a series of serial murders committed by a man who always wears a frog mask during his heinous acts. As the first person to discover the connection between each murder case committed by the perpetrator, Sawamura's life is now in danger.

The psychopath now attempts to eliminate those involved in the death of Sawamura's wife. Can Sawamura save himself from the relentless pursuit of the psychopath?

Directed by Keishi Otomo, known for his successful direction of the Rurouni Keshin movie trilogy, Museum stands out as an excellent manga adaptation, featuring realistic shots and scenes faithful to the original story.

This film not only presents the thrilling chase between the detective and the culprit but also includes gruesome scenes that intensify the horror at the core of the story. Those who enjoy stories that engage the mind will be treated to a surprising plot twist at the end.

5. Lesson of the Evil

Lesson of The Evil potrays the life of Hasumi Seiji (Hideaki Ito), an attractive teacher who enjoys considerable popularity among his students. Hasumi, battling with a personality disorder since his early years, is a psychopath who resorts to murder as a solution to problems.

The plot kicks off when a student, Miya Yasuhara (Erina Mizuno), becomes the target of sexual harassment by another teacher. After learning about this, Hasumi steps in to help Miya get out of her sticky situation. However, from this point on, new issues arise that put his true identity at risk.

Hasumi begins to eliminate those who pose threats to him, killing them one after another. What actions will this teacher do next? To find out, you'll have to watch the movie for yourself.

6. Creepy

Following a traumatizing incident at work, Takakura (Hidetoshi Nishijima) decides to relocate with his family to a small town. Despite retiring from his career as a detective, he now works as a university lecturer, leading a peaceful life.

However, this tranquility is shattered when he begins investigating a family disappearance that occurred six years ago. Determined to uncover the truth, Takakura follows the memories of Saki Honda (Haruna Kawaguchi) as the only survivor of the incident. Will Takakura succeed in catching the murderer responsible for Saki's family?

Creepy is a movie that masterfully combines elements of thriller, mystery, psychology, and crime genres. From the very beginning, director Kiyoshi Kurosawa effectively creates a dark and enigmatic atmosphere that captivates viewers. The suspense and unexpected twists presented throughout the film are sure to capture the audience's attention.

However, some critics argue that Creepy includes scenes that dive too deeply into certain aspects, which ultimately don't significantly contribute to the overall narrative and may give the impression of just prolonging the film's duration.

7. Character

What happens when a mangaka casts a real-life psychopath as the main character in his work? Although this formula may not feel fresh, you will discover some intriguing twists in this two-hour and five-minute movie.

The story revolves around a mangaka named Keigo Yamashiro (Masaki Suda) who dreams of creating an extraordinary manga. However, due to his cheerful personality, Yamashiro is deemed incapable of crafting villainous characters.

One day, Yamashiro's boss assigns him the task of depicting a family living in a single residence. To his shock, he discovers all the family members lying lifeless. During this encounter, he also comes across a mysterious man who hastily flees upon seeing him.

Following the incident, Yamashiro is questioned by the police as a witness. However, he lies, claiming he did not witness the perpetrator. Instead, he becomes determined to make the culprit the primary antagonist in his manga titled "34."

Unexpectedly, the popularity of "34" skyrockets, and Yamashiro's name begins to gain recognition from the public. However, parallel to this success, real-life murder cases resembling the events in "34" start occurring. Furthermore, Yashiro finds himself in danger as the killer begins to target him. What lies ahead for Yashiro?

8. Erased

Erased or Boku Dake ga Inai Machi, released in 2016, is a live-action adaptation of the manga of the same name by Kei Sanbe. The story follows Satoru Fujinuma (Tatsuya Fujiwara), a mangaka who also works as a pizza delivery boy.

Despite leading a bleak life and struggling with socializing, Satoru possesses a unique ability called "revival" that allows him to travel back in time before a tragic incident occurs. He can use this ability repeatedly until he succeeds in preventing the tragedy from taking place.

One day, Satoru is reminded of a horrifying case from 18 years ago when he was still in elementary school. During that time, a series of child murders took place, and his mother was wrongfully accused as the perpetrator.

Determined to save both his mother and the victims, Satoru decides to return to his past. Who is the serial killer who caused such turmoil during Satoru's childhood?

Similar to the manga and anime series, the movie adaptation of Erased features a fascinating and innovative storytelling approach. However, due to the limited duration of the movie, some scenes and characters may not receive sufficient attention, resulting in a slightly different experience from the original version.

Nevertheless, fans of psychological mystery stories seeking a breath of fresh air and unconventional narratives should not miss this film.

9. Cold Fish

Tsumetai Nettaigyo, also known as Cold Fish, is a thriller movie based on true events that took place in Japan. The movie explores the chilling story of a psychopath who commits serial murders.

The narrative centers around Nobuyuki Shamoto (Fukikoshi Mitsuru), his son, and his second wife. The strained relationship between the son and stepmother creates a problem that spirals into a horrifying nightmare for the family. It all begins when the son is caught stealing from a fish shop owned by a man named Yukio Murata (Denden).

Murata, revealed to be a psychopath, seizes this opportunity and forces Shamoto into covering up his heinous crimes, using the safety of Shamoto's son and wife as leverage. Will Shamoto give in to the psychopath's demands and eliminate the evidence of his murders?

10. Confessions

Confessions is a must-see film for thriller enthusiasts, captivating viewers with its mesmerizing performances and a story filled with darkness, sorrow, and unexpected twists. The movie is an adaptation of the popular novel Kokuhaku written by Kanae Minato.

The story centers around Yuko Moriguchi (Takako Matsu), a teacher who seeks revenge against her two psychopathic students. It all begins when Moriguchi's daughter is discovered dead in a school swimming pool. With knowledge of the two students responsible for the tragedy, Moriguchi sets out on a course of vengeance.

From administering HIV-contaminated milk to launching calculated verbal attacks, Moriguchi employs various methods to force the two students to confess to the murder they committed. To witness Moriguchi's quest for justice and revenge following her daughter's death, we recommend watching the movie firsthand.

11. Lost Care

Exploring a rarely touched premise in filmmaking, this movie, also known as Do Unto Others, explores the unsettling murders of defenseless senior citizens. While it may initially appear gruesome and even morally questionable, this film delivers an ending capable of evoking tears from audience.

The story begins with the discovery of two lifeless bodies inside a house. The victims are identified as an elderly resident and his caregiver. Munenori Shiba (Kenichi Matsuyama), who coincidentally works at the same company as one of the victims, becomes the primary suspect.

Prosecutor Hidemi Otomo (Masami Nagasawa) has suspicions towards Munenori due to CCTV footage showing him near the crime scene shortly after the victims' death. However, Munenori is known for being a kind and loyal caregiver.

Soon enough, Hidemi uncovers the peculiarities surrounding the Yaga Care Center, the company where Munenori is employed. It becomes evident that numerous cases of unnatural deaths among senior citizens under the care of the company have occurred. What truly lies beneath this mystery? Is Munenori genuinely implicated in this case?

12. Prior Convictions

Prior Conviction, which aired in 2022, centers around the story of Kayo Agawa (Kasumi Arimura), a civil servant who is currently on probation. Her main responsibility is to rehabilitate offenders.

Kayo, who has been on probation for three years, finds satisfaction and comfort in her current job. She has even managed to establish positive bonds of friendship with the prisoners.

However, her seemingly perfect life takes a disruptive turn when one of her clients, a murder suspect named Makoto Kudo (Go Morita), suddenly goes missing.

Shortly after Makoto's disappearance, the police step in to investigate a murder committed by an unidentified man. Is Makoto responsible for all the chaos?

Prior Conviction is not a typical psychopath movie. It dives into how childhood trauma can have a long-lasting impact on a person's life. We are immersed in the tale of a man's dark past that led him down the path of becoming a criminal.

13. Rage

During one summer, a couple fell victim to a brutal murder committed by an unknown intruder in their own home. Shockingly, the killer left behind a chilling message on the wall, written in the victims' blood, that simply read "Ikari" (anger).

The police took an entire year to diligently investigate the case and eventually released a composite sketch of the murder suspect. To everyone's surprise, the suspect's facial features showed a striking resemblance to three different Japanese individuals residing in separate regions.

The first suspect is Tashiro (Kenichi Matsuyama), a reserved resident of suburban Chiba with a mysterious background. The second is Naoto (Go Ayano), a Tokyo local engaged in a same-sex relationship, harboring secrets that not even his boyfriend is aware of. Lastly, we have Tanaka (Mirai Moriyama), a backpacker residing in Okinawa who carrying the weight of a dark past.

The news of the murders casts a cloud of suspicion and dilemma upon those closest to these three individuals. However, one thing remains clear: the killer is among them.

This movie offers an interactive experience for the audience, engaging them in the process of deducing the identity of the killer. Moreover, it explores the intricate relationships and the fragile nature of trust among the characters involved.

14. Death Note: Light up the New World

Mass deaths occurred in Japan, the U.S., and other countries ten years after the final confrontation between L and Kira. This happened because the Shinigami sent the Death Note back to Earth.

According to a computer virus called Kira, which is also spreading on Earth, there are six Death Notes that were dropped by the Shinigami. And in order to stop the chaos, these six books must be returned.

Tsukuru (Masahiro Higashide), a member of the Death Note task force, is assigned to investigate the situation. He is joined by six other investigators, including Matsuda (Sota Aoyama) who had previously investigated Kira's case ten years ago. Additionally, Ryuzaki (Sosuke Ikematsu) as the successor of L, is also tracking down the perpetrator behind these mass deaths.

Who are the owners of these six Death Notes? Will Tsukuru, Matsuda, Ryuzaki, and the other investigators succeed in retrieving them?

This movie is considered as one of the Death Note films with the best CGI. Unfortunately, the inclusion of so many new characters leaves little room for their personal growth, which leaves the story's central conflict seeming a little flat.

15. My Girlfriend Is a Serial Killer

Movies that explore the theme of psychopaths don't always adopt a dark and gloomy atmosphere; some even incorporate other elements like drama, romance, and comedy into the core of the storyline.

This particular Japanese movie takes a unique approach to the psychopathic theme by blending romantic comedy and thriller genres. The narrative revolves around a young couple, Etsuro Kurosu (Yosuke Sugino) and Rio Miyaichi (Haruka Fukuhara).

The two initially met as neighbors. At the time, Etsuro was a hikikomori (a loner with minimal social interaction) due to his failure to gain admission to his desired university. Struggling with depression, Etsuro eventually contemplated suicide by hanging himself on the apartment's wall.

Thankfully, his suicide attempt failed. However, it left a hole in the wall, allowing him to catch glimpses of his neighbor, Rio Miyaichi, through the opening. Although Etsuro's actions were illegal, he became increasingly captivated by his neighbor.

One fateful day, Etsuro witnessed Rio mercilessly committing a murder. Overwhelmed by shock, Etsuro cried out, alerting Rio to his presence. Rio then approached Etsuro.

Etsuro's mindset when confessing his feelings for Rio remains a mystery. Surprisingly, his confession led to the two of them becoming lovers. What happens next in their story? Can Etsuro find happiness in his relationship with Rio? Or is he in immediate danger?

Those are some Japanese psychopathic movies that are sure to keep you on the edge of your seat. We hope these recommendations will entertain you during your leisure time. Enjoy your watching experience!