The Cross Review: Story, Cast, Rating & Final Verdict
Last updated: May 15, 2026
Movie Overview: The Cross
| Movie | The Cross |
| Release Year | 2016 |
| Director | Shō Igarashi |
| Genre | Drama / Family |
| Runtime | 132 minutes (2h 12m) |
| Language | JA |
Quick Verdict: Hit or Flop?
Is The Cross (2016) worth watching? According to our cinematic analysis, the film stands as a HIT with a verified audience rating of 7.0/10. Whether you're looking for the box office collection, ending explained, or parents guide, our review covers everything you need to know about this Drama.
Cast & Character Study
The performances in The Cross are led by Keisuke Koide . The supporting cast, including Yasuko Tomita and Fumino Kimura , provides the necessary layers to the central narrative.
movieMx Verdict: Is it Worth Your Time?
What Works in the Movie
The Cross stands out as a strong entry in the Drama genre. The film benefits from engaging storytelling, memorable performances, and solid production values that help keep viewers invested.
- Compelling performances from the main cast
- Strong visual storytelling and direction
- Well-structured Drama narrative
- Satisfying emotional or dramatic payoff
What Doesn't Work
Despite its strengths, The Cross has a few issues that may affect the overall viewing experience, particularly in terms of pacing and narrative consistency.
- Uneven pacing in certain parts of the film
- Some predictable plot developments
- May not appeal to audiences outside the Drama fanbase
Story & Plot Summary: The Cross
Quick Plot Summary: Released in 2016, The Cross is a Drama, Family film directed by Shō Igarashi, written by Kiyoshi Shigematsu. The narrative explores complex human emotions and relationships through detailed character development. It provides a scannable look at the movie's central conflict involving Keisuke Koide as Yu Sanada.
Ending Explained: The Cross
The Cross Ending Explained: Shunsuke Fujii was a bullied middle school student. Directed by Shō Igarashi, this 2016 drama film stars Keisuke Koide (Yu Sanada), alongside Yasuko Tomita as Shunsuke’s mother, Fumino Kimura as Sayuri Nakagawa, Masatoshi Nagase as Shunsuke’s father. Rated 7/10 by audiences, the conclusion brings the story to a satisfying close.
What Happens at the End of The Cross?
Shunsuke Fujii was a bullied middle school student. He took his own life. A letter left behind referred to his classmate Yu Sanada as a friend. Sayuri Nakagawa was a girl that Shunsuke liked. Her birthday is the same day as the day Shunsuke commited suicide. Shunsuke's father can not forgive Shunsuke’s classmates and his mother's life has been destroyed by his death. They have spent 20 years of their life carrying their own cross since Shunsuke Fujii's death.
Shō Igarashi's narrative builds toward a resolution centered on Keisuke Koide (Yu Sanada)'s journey. He took his own life.
How Does Keisuke Koide (Yu Sanada)'s Story End?
- Keisuke Koide: Keisuke Koide's arc reaches a definitive conclusion by the final act, with Shō Igarashi delivering a resolution that feels earned after the film's 2h 12m runtime.
- Yasuko Tomita (Shunsuke’s mother): Yasuko Tomita's role in the climax proves pivotal to how the central conflict resolves.
- Fumino Kimura (Sayuri Nakagawa): Fumino Kimura's character undergoes a significant shift in the final act.
What Does the Ending of The Cross Mean?
The ending of The Cross ties together the narrative threads involving Keisuke Koide. Shō Igarashi chooses a conclusion that prioritizes thematic consistency over surprise, resulting in an ending that rewards viewers who engaged with the story's central themes.
The Cross Real vs. Reel: Is it Based on a True Story?
Is The Cross Based on a True Story?
No, The Cross is a work of fiction. While the drama, family film directed by Shō Igarashi and starring Keisuke Koide may incorporate realistic themes, the characters and plot are original creations.
Who Should Watch The Cross?
Age Advisory: Rated Not Rated.
Worth Watching If You:
- Enjoy Drama films and don't mind familiar tropes
- Are a fan of Keisuke Koide or the director
- Want a character-driven story with emotional moments
The Cross Parents Guide & Age Rating
2016 AdvisoryWondering about The Cross age rating or if it's safe for kids? Here is our cinematic advisory:
⏱️ Runtime & Duration
The total runtime of The Cross (2016) is 132 minutes (2h 12m). Directed by Shō Igarashi, the film runs for 132 minutes in its complete theatrical version.
Verdict Summary
Analyzing the overall audience sentiment, verified rating of 7.0/10, and global performance metrics, The Cross is classified as a HIT. It remains an essential part of the 2016 cinematic calendar.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is The Cross worth watching?
The Cross is definitely worth watching if you enjoy Drama movies. It has a verified rating of 7/10 and stands as a HIT in our box office analysis.
Where can I find The Cross parents guide and age rating?
The official parents guide for The Cross identifies it as Not Rated. Our detailed advisory section above covers all content warnings for families.
What is the runtime of The Cross (2016)?
The runtime of The Cross (2016) is 132 minutes (approximately 2h 12m).
movieMx Verified
This review has been verified for accuracy and editorial quality by our senior cinematic analysts.
This analysis is compiled by our editorial experts using multi-source verification and audience sentiment data for maximum accuracy.
