‘Chainsaw Man – The Movie: Reze Arc’ Movie Review

If I could sell my house to experience this movie again for the first time, I’d be the happiest homeless person in the theater.

Chainsaw Man: The Movie — Reze Arc is a direct continuation of the 2022 anime series Chainsaw Man, adapted from the manga of the same name written by Tatsuki Fujimoto.

Directed by Tatsuya Yoshihara and written by Hiroshi Seko, the film marks the series’ first appearance on the big screen.

Following the success of the anime series, fans have been clamoring for more Chainsaw Man content during its three-year break. From the discussion online, it’s clear this film was worth every second of the wait. The movie debuted with a 100% rating on Rotten Tomatoes and, following its U.S. release, has grossed more than $100 million worldwide.

The story follows Denji, who, after fusing with his chainsaw dog Pochita, can transform into the titular Chainsaw Man. In exchange for not being executed, Denji is recruited by Makima of the Public Safety Devil Hunters and tasked with taking down devils, including the dangerous Gun Devil.

The film continues right where the anime series left off, with Denji and Makima going on a date to a movie marathon. While it wasn’t his ideal version of a date, he couldn’t complain — he’d never been on one before, let alone with a girl.

The following day, as Denji is patrolling with his new partner, the Shark Devil Beam, he gets caught in the pouring rain and seeks refuge in a telephone booth. Stumbling in after him is Reze, who is instantly infatuated with Denji and insists he visit her at the cafe where she works.

After his visit, the two hang out inside Reze’s school, where she invites him to a nearby festival. As Denji thinks he’s found the girl for him and they begin to kiss, she bites off his tongue and cuts off his arm, revealing her identity as the Bomb Devil. Had it not been for Beam’s stealthy rescue, Denji would have been blown to ashes.

What follows is a citywide battle where Denji, Beam and the rest of Public Safety attempt to defeat Reze and the allied Typhoon Devil.

Considering it’s an anime movie, the animation quality is incredibly important, and as expected, Studio MAPPA delivers an experience that’s gorgeous from start to finish. By tweaking the art style of the anime’s first season, the movie is more colorful and fluid — something more in line with the tone of the series.

The cinematography is stunning, and it’s clear that cinephile Fujimoto put his series in the right hands to fully expand on his vision. One standout shot features a spider webbing up a butterfly in its nest, intercut with Reze calling over Denji in the swimming pool.

The music is awe-inspiring, with beautiful piano arrangements and even a needle drop featuring one of the songs from the original anime. The voice actors give their all in every line, with Denji and Beam delivering especially energetic performances.

The movie adapts the manga perfectly while somehow making it even better. If the next season of the anime follows the movie’s lead, Chainsaw Man is on track to cement itself as one of the greatest anime series of the 2020s.

Chainsaw Man: The Movie — Reze Arc easily earns a 5-out-of-5 rating.

George Mann is a second-year majoring in advertising/public relations. To contact him, email gzm5437@psu.edu