Kuroneko (1968): cast, story & where to watch
1968 · Film · ★ 7.5
Released in 1968, Kuroneko is a fantasy and horror film directed by Kaneto Shindō, running about 100 minutes. “Beware the haunted women who lurk in the bamboo forest as black cats craving the blood of samurai!” — that tagline sets the tone.
What it’s about. In the Sengoku period, a woman and her daughter are raped and murdered by soldiers during a time of civil war. Afterwards, a series of samurai returning from the war through that area are found mysteriously dead with their throats torn out. The governor calls in a wild and fierce young hero to quell what is evidently an Onryō ghost. He encounters the two beautiful women in an eerie, beautiful scene. After spiritual purification, he meets the demon in a thrilling fight.
Who’s in it. Kuroneko stars Kichiemon Nakamura as Gintoki, Nobuko Otowa as Yone, Kiwako Taichi as Shige (Daughter-in-Law) and Kei Satō as Raiko, among others.
How it landed. With an audience score of 7.5/10, Kuroneko has been warmly received by audiences.
Where to watch. In US you can stream it on Criterion Channel and rent or buy it from Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies and YouTube. See the full, country-by-country breakdown on our where to watch Kuroneko page.
If you liked it. Fans of Kuroneko tend to enjoy The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King, The Green Mile, Spirited Away and The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring.
Frequently asked
- Where can I watch Kuroneko (1968)?
- In US, Kuroneko is available to stream on Criterion Channel, and rent or buy from Amazon Video, Apple TV Store and Google Play Movies. Availability varies by country — check our where-to-watch page for every region.
- Is Kuroneko worth watching?
- Kuroneko holds an audience score of 7.5 out of 10, and is a strong pick if you enjoy fantasy and horror. Most viewers rate it highly.
- Who stars in Kuroneko?
- Kuroneko stars Kichiemon Nakamura, Nobuko Otowa, Kiwako Taichi, Kei Satō and Taiji Tonoyama.
- When was Kuroneko released?
- Kuroneko was released in 1968, with a runtime of about 100 minutes.