The Motive Review: Story, Cast, Rating & Final Verdict
Last updated: May 14, 2026
Movie Overview: The Motive
| Movie | The Motive |
| Release Year | 2004 |
| Director | Nobuhiko Obayashi |
| Genre | Crime / Drama / Mystery / TV Movie |
| Runtime | 160 minutes (2h 40m) |
| Language | JA |
Quick Verdict: Hit or Flop?
Is The Motive (2004) worth watching? According to our cinematic analysis, the film stands as a HIT with a verified audience rating of 6.9/10. Whether you're looking for the box office collection, ending explained, or parents guide, our review covers everything you need to know about this Crime.
Cast & Character Study
The performances in The Motive are led by Takehiro Murata . The supporting cast, including Ryo Kase and Toshie Negishi , provides the necessary layers to the central narrative.
movieMx Verdict: Is it Worth Your Time?
What Works in the Movie
The Motive stands out as a strong entry in the Crime 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 Crime narrative
- Satisfying emotional or dramatic payoff
What Doesn't Work
Despite its strengths, The Motive 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 Crime fanbase
Story & Plot Summary: The Motive
Quick Plot Summary: Released in 2004, The Motive is a Crime, Drama, Mystery, TV Movie film directed by Nobuhiko Obayashi, written by Fumio Ishimori. The narrative dives into the criminal underworld with a grounded sense of realism and complex morality. It provides a scannable look at the movie's central conflict involving Takehiro Murata as Ishikawa, Police.
Ending Explained: The Motive
The Motive Ending Explained: Four people are discovered brutally murdered in an up-scale high-rise apartment. Directed by Nobuhiko Obayashi, this 2004 crime film stars Takehiro Murata (Ishikawa, Police), alongside Ryo Kase as Yuji Yashiro, Toshie Negishi as Satoko Sunagawa, Saki Terashima as Nobuko Katakura. With a 6.9/10 rating, the ending has divided audiences.
What Happens at the End of The Motive?
Four people are discovered brutally murdered in an up-scale high-rise apartment. All the victims appear to be family, but as the investigation deepens it is discovered that one of the victims isn't related to the family.
Nobuhiko Obayashi's narrative builds toward a resolution centered on Takehiro Murata (Ishikawa, Police)'s journey. All the victims appear to be family, but as the investigation deepens it is discovered that one of the victims isn't related to the family.
How Does Takehiro Murata (Ishikawa, Police)'s Story End?
- Takehiro Murata: Takehiro Murata's storyline wraps up in the final act, though some viewers have found the resolution more ambiguous than expected.
- Ryo Kase (Yuji Yashiro): Ryo Kase's role in the climax proves pivotal to how the central conflict resolves.
- Toshie Negishi (Satoko Sunagawa): Toshie Negishi's character undergoes a significant shift in the final act.
What Does the Ending of The Motive Mean?
The Motive's ending attempts to resolve the major plot threads, though some narrative elements involving Takehiro Murata may feel rushed. Nobuhiko Obayashi's final act has been both praised for its ambition and criticized for its execution.
The Motive Real vs. Reel: Is it Based on a True Story?
Is The Motive Based on a True Story?
Yes, The Motive draws from real criminal cases and investigative records. Directed by Nobuhiko Obayashi and starring Takehiro Murata, this crime, drama, mystery, tv movie film explores how real events have been adapted into a dramatic narrative.
Real Story vs Movie Version of The Motive
The film takes creative liberties to strengthen its narrative. Certain scenes are likely dramatized to enhance emotional impact.
While inspired by real events, the narrative focuses more on storytelling than strict historical accuracy.
Accuracy Assessment: The Motive uses real-life inspiration as the foundation for a dramatized narrative. The film prioritizes thematic storytelling over strict documentary accuracy.
Who Should Watch The Motive?
Age Advisory: Rated Not Rated.
Worth Watching If You:
- Enjoy Crime films and don't mind familiar tropes
- Are a fan of Takehiro Murata or the director
- Want solid genre entertainment
Be prepared for a long sit at 2h 40m.
Where to Watch The Motive Online?
Streaming Hub📺 Stream on
Amazon Prime Video
U-NEXT
Amazon Prime Video with Ads🎟️ Rent on
Amazon VideoThe Motive Parents Guide & Age Rating
2004 AdvisoryWondering about The Motive age rating or if it's safe for kids? Here is our cinematic advisory:
⏱️ Runtime & Duration
The total runtime of The Motive (2004) is 160 minutes (2h 40m). Directed by Nobuhiko Obayashi, the film runs for 160 minutes in its complete theatrical version.
Verdict Summary
Analyzing the overall audience sentiment, verified rating of 6.9/10, and global performance metrics, The Motive is classified as a HIT. It remains an essential part of the 2004 cinematic calendar.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is The Motive worth watching?
The Motive is definitely worth watching if you enjoy Crime movies. It has a verified rating of 6.9/10 and stands as a HIT in our box office analysis.
Where can I find The Motive parents guide and age rating?
The official parents guide for The Motive identifies it as Not Rated. Our detailed advisory section above covers all content warnings for families.
What is the runtime of The Motive (2004)?
The runtime of The Motive (2004) is 160 minutes (approximately 2h 40m).
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.
