Heart, Beating in the Dark – New Version (2005): cast, story & where to watch

Released in 2005, Heart, Beating in the Dark – New Version is a drama film directed by Shunichi Nagasaki, running about 104 minutes. “Cast and crew revisit unsettling story of outlaws on the run” — that tagline sets the tone.

What it’s about. This new version of Nagasaki's Yami utsu shinzô (1982) is neither a remake nor a sequel. It is both those things, and at the same time it is also a documentary, a portrait of the consequences of passing time, and an occasionally very funny reflection on what the hell the point is of all this filmmaking business anyway. Shigeru Muroi and Takashi Naito, back then young hopefuls willing to take chances, now among the most established and recognisable actors in Japan, return to play the roles they assumed in the 1982 film, each of their characters having gone their own way. Alongside, another young couple (Honda and the ever-brilliant Eguchi) find themselves in the exact same situation as their older counterparts 25 years earlier. Their paths cross, an opportunity arises: for the elder two to redeem part of their own lives, for the younger couple to find a helping hand in their darkest hour.

Who’s in it. Heart, Beating in the Dark – New Version stars Takashi Naito as Ringo, Shigeru Muroi as Inako, Shoichi Honda as Toru and Noriko Eguchi as Yuki, among others.

How it landed. With an audience score of 5.5/10, Heart, Beating in the Dark – New Version has drawn a solid, mixed-to-positive response.

Where to watch. Streaming options change often. See the full, country-by-country breakdown on our where to watch Heart, Beating in the Dark – New Version page.

If you liked it. Fans of Heart, Beating in the Dark – New Version tend to enjoy The Shawshank Redemption, The Godfather, Schindler's List and The Godfather Part II.