The Contestant

2023

Action / Biography / Documentary

12
Rotten Tomatoes Critics - Rotten 80% · 52 reviews
Rotten Tomatoes Audience - Upright 80%
IMDb Rating 7.2/10 10 3870 3.9K

japan based on true story naked television broadcast locked in locked room

Plot summary

The incredible true story of a man who lived for 15 months trapped inside a small room, naked, starving and alone... and completely unaware that his life was being broadcast on national TV in Japan, to over 15 million viewers a week.

Director

Clair Titley Photo
Clair Titley

Top cast

Nasubi Photo
Nasubi as Self
Juliet Hindell Photo
Juliet Hindell as Self
Harutaro Kagawa Photo
Harutaro Kagawa as Self - director of reality show Denpa Shonen
Kenji Kondo Photo
Kenji Kondo as Self - mountain guide
720p.WEB 1080p.WEB
834.59 MB
1280*690
English 2.0
NR
Subtitles us   es  
25 fps
1 hr 30 min
Seeds 6
1.67 GB
1920*1036
English 5.1
NR
Subtitles us   es  
25 fps
1 hr 30 min
Seeds 14

Movie Reviews

Reviewed by xkdsy 8 / 10

Wtf

The creator of this show is a huge pile of S@&T, He thinks he was being clever and interesting and creating entertaining shows even though he was essentially being a bully torturing another man for profit. I still got the feeling that he thinks he's hot S@&T, and kind of wish that he would've gone to jail. The other creators that are filmed also are responsible for taking part. They have zero sympathy for their fellow man. They are essentially the bully on the schoolyard making money. I hope the contestant himself Has a very fulfilling life now. What a sad story, take advantage of a guy who is Trying to make it.
Reviewed by cali-dudefuzi 8 / 10

Cruel and Unusual Punishment makes for good TV ratings in 1998 Japan

The mental torture and brutality inflicted on Nasubi is so over the top, so psychologically horrifying, manipulative, and downright illegal, it leaves you feeling astounded and gobsmacked the entire runtime.How is the Producer not in jail? How is this legal? Questions you'll ask yourself over and over while watching.How did no one think this might be a bad idea now, or even in the long run for someone's state of mind? Even if you never asked yourself that, the answer, "This is bad." so clearly slaps you in the face because it's being played out in real time. No editor, producer, or viewer thought: This is bad. He's not ok. ???!!!No food? No utensils to cook with? No clothing? No human contact? No grasp on reality? All you can do is apply to crappy magazine contests? "WE GOT THE SHOW FOR YOU!"You see him literally starving with his naked, gaunt body on display for everyone. Hungry? Doog food/starvation is fine. Check.Dehumanizing publishing of your diary, sold to millions without your knowledge? With your innermost private thoughts written out (like unaliving yourself) while you endure solitary confinement torture the likes Psychologists/Researchers have never studied because... illegal? Check.Lying to the person about how public his long-form torture will be? Check.Oh he finally won? Move the goalposts, obviously. But first make him think he's being treated to a "fun trip/prize" after his torture. Then lead him back into another solitary room, in a country he doesn't know the language and tell him to do it over again? Check.He won, again? Move the goalposts, obviously. Check.Ok, ok, it's been a year & 3 months, let him out. But FIRST, make him think we've locked him up, YET AGAIN-then say "GOTCHA" by breakaway walls, in front of a live studio audience he doesn't know watches him, while he's been in solitary confinement for over a year. I'm sure he won't break mentally, or possibly have a heart attack due to his malnourished confinement and subsequent shock of "reality."If in the US, that Producer would have been sued into bankruptcy and sent to jail. The fact he didn't have a complete medical mental break, is wild in and of itself.....then later in Nasubi's life, EARTHQUAKES!! (yes PLURAL)... some of the worst the modern world has seen... "Reality" would have to be one of the last words I'd ever use for this guys life story. Unbelievable, is all I can say.
Reviewed by thalassafischer 7 / 10

Please Tell Me Nasubi is Financially Set For Life...

All I could think while watching this is that in America this kind of TV star never actually gets rich. They might get their foot in the door, or get a lump sum of money they might be able to apply to other endeavors, but you don't necessarily become a millionaire set for life just from being on a TV show - even if people loved that show. That kind of thing really mostly applies to big Hollywood actors. And what this man endured was absolutely traumatic abuse.The absolute gall of that producer calling himself the devil, and saying he didn't know "at the time" how far was too far. Really? You were an adult with a career not a twelve year old kid, what do you mean you didn't know at the time how far was too far.Really intriguing to watch, and I am glad Nasubi was able to use his fame to move forward and help people in Fukushima. It may have even given him the tenacity required to survive Mt. Everest if you really think about it...but still.
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