Is Dependence Worth Watching? Honest Movie Review & Audience Verdict (2023)

📖 The Core Premise

With the release of Dependence (2023), audiences are invited back into the world of Drama. At its heart, the film explores complex themes wrapped in a compelling storyline. As the plot unfolds, we see characters navigating a world where stakes are high. "Shuichi and Rina are a twenty-something couple living together. Shuichi is working as a fiction editor for a book publisher, while Rina is unemployed, since she finds it hard to keep a job. When Shuichi's colleague runs away because of their terrible boss, Shuichi suddenly gets reassigned to work with Nishikawa, a stuck-up author who writes banal but popular self-help books. Rina gets hired to be his editor by complete chance, since Nishikawa ends up liking her out-of-the-box thinking. When Rina starts to succeed while Shuichi struggles, the problems in their relationship start to become apparent."

🎬 Performance & Direction

A movie's success often hinges on its execution. Mario Kuroba does well with the material given, though the script occasionally limits their range. The direction aims to balance pacing with character development, a hallmark of good Drama. While there are moments of brilliance, the pacing occasionally dips.

🤔 Why You Should Watch (or Skip)

Is Dependence worth your time? If you appreciate Drama films that take risks, this is likely a decent one-time watch. However, if you are looking for a flawless masterpiece, you might find some plot points predictable.

🏆 Final Verdict

Ultimately, Dependence is a mixed bag with some redeeming qualities. With a runtime of 107 minutes, it asks for a significant time investment, but for the right audience, it pays off.

Our recommendation: Watch on OTT.