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Death Note

Play trailer Poster for Death Note 2006 2h 6m Adventure Crime Drama Horror Mystery & Thriller Play Trailer Watchlist
Watchlist Tomatometer Popcornmeter
78% Tomatometer 9 Reviews 82% Popcornmeter 2,500+ Ratings
Light Yagami (Tatsuya Fujiwara) is a normal, undistinguished college student -- that is, until he discovers an odd notebook lying on the ground. He soon discovers that the notebook has magic powers: If someone's name is written on it while the writer imagines that person's face, he or she will die. Intoxicated with his new godlike power, Light kills those he deems unworthy of life. But a mysterious detective known only as L (Kenichi Matsuyama) becomes determined to put a stop to his reign.

Critics Reviews

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Tim Grierson L.A. Weekly 08/28/2008
The combatants' mano-a-mano gamesmanship has such pulpy inventiveness that your inner fan-boy will most assuredly rejoice. Go to Full Review
Jamie Russell BBC.com 04/25/2008
3/5
Fiendishly unusual, it's an offbeat time-waster that genre fans will definitely want to make a note of. Go to Full Review
Time Out 04/25/2008
4/6
Towards the end things grow darker and more complex, leading to a satisfyingly emotive and unresolved finale and leaving the door wide for the inevitable and welcome sequel. Go to Full Review
Felix Vasquez Jr. Cinema Crazed 09/11/2012
An entertaining, creepy, and beautifully written horror film... Go to Full Review
Luke Y. Thompson OC Weekly 12/30/2008
It's like Infernal Affairs/The Departed crossed with Devilman, Primal Fear and Drop Dead Fred. If that combination doesn't scream "Watch me!" to you, well, you're wrong. Go to Full Review
Beth Accomando KPBS.org 05/19/2008
If you love good story telling, an intricate plot, cute young Japanese stars, and a punky shinigami, you won't find a film better than Death Note... unless it's Death Note 2. Go to Full Review
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Audience Reviews

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Micha N @RT09991011 2d Very good version of the story it feels like alternative version of the anime an absolute must see if you can find it See more Brayden L @RT63110022 Nov 1 Horrible tv show and movie because of the death of L this is like the next romeo and juilet for no reason See more Daniel V @RT29321594 02/23/2025 A great script, well aligned with the original content of the manga and the anime. See more Elliot M @RT75406652 02/01/2025 我真的非常喜欢这部电影,每个演员的性格也很有特点,演技也都非常棒,故事情节的辗转反折也令我印象深刻 See more Dmytro T @RT04733447 01/11/2025 A Brilliant Adaptation of a Timeless Story The 2006 Japanese Death Note movie is an extraordinary example of how to adapt a complex and iconic story while retaining its core brilliance. I stumbled upon this film without any prior knowledge of the Death Note universe, and it completely captivated me. The story’s genius lies in its two central characters—L and Light—who are anything but ordinary. Both are brilliant, emotionally detached, and far beyond the thinking capabilities of the average person. Watching their calculated moves unfold feels like witnessing a game of chess played at a level most can’t comprehend. This detachment gives them a unique charisma that draws you in, making it impossible to predict their next steps. What truly sets this movie apart is its atmosphere. The cinematography is hauntingly effective, and the soundtrack is both unconventional and perfectly fitting. The music elevates the tension and draws you deeper into this dark, intricate world. Even though the movie diverges from the original manga, it does so in a way that enhances the story. In fact, I found the film’s adaptation more compelling than the manga, which I personally found harder to follow. The changes didn’t detract from the story; they refined and elevated it, proving that adaptations can succeed by taking thoughtful creative liberties. While the production may not have the high-budget polish of Hollywood, the film’s brilliance shines through its storytelling, character depth, and atmosphere. Its lower-budget feel almost adds to its charm, emphasizing the ingenuity of its creators over flashy effects. Death Note (2006) remains one of the best adaptations I’ve ever seen, masterfully capturing the essence of its source material while standing strong as a film in its own right. This is a must-watch for fans of psychological thrillers, morally complex characters, and unforgettable storytelling. Absolutely brilliant. See more thomas b @RT62097758 02/16/2022 Top budget foreign blockbuster from 2006 about a teenager who can exterminate people by writing there name in a notebook. When I first watched this 6 years ago, I dubbed it the greatest Japanese live-action film ever made. When it comes to Japanese movies, there are only a few select anime that outshine Death Note's super intelligent plot elements [book rules]. And after you add it's first sequel to the formula, it's even a more distinguished masterpiece. See more Read all reviews
Death Note

My Rating

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Movie Info

Synopsis Light Yagami (Tatsuya Fujiwara) is a normal, undistinguished college student -- that is, until he discovers an odd notebook lying on the ground. He soon discovers that the notebook has magic powers: If someone's name is written on it while the writer imagines that person's face, he or she will die. Intoxicated with his new godlike power, Light kills those he deems unworthy of life. But a mysterious detective known only as L (Kenichi Matsuyama) becomes determined to put a stop to his reign.
Director
Shusuke Kaneko
Producer
Toyoharu Fukuda, Takahiro Kobashi
Screenwriter
Tsugumi Ôba, Takeshi Obata, Tetsuya Oishi
Production Co
My Theater D.D., Inc.
Genre
Adventure, Crime, Drama, Horror, Mystery & Thriller
Original Language
Japanese
Release Date (Streaming)
Mar 7, 2019
Runtime
2h 6m
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