Cure is a 1997 Japanese horror-thriller film directed by Kiyoshi Kurosawa. The film explores the theme of the supernatural and the psychological influence of mass hysteria. The story revolves around a detective named Kenichi Takabe, who is investigating a series of murders that are being committed by different people with no apparent motive. Each of the murders is marked by an X carved into the victim's neck.
Takabe is joined in his investigation by a psychiatrist named Dr. Sakuma, who is trying to understand the psychological motivations of the killers. They eventually come to suspect that a man named Mamiya, who has a strange hypnotic power, may be behind the murders. However, Mamiya himself has no memory of his actions and seems to be a pawn in a larger, more mysterious game.
As the investigation goes on, Takabe becomes increasingly obsessed with solving the case, even as his own mental state begins to deteriorate. The film ultimately explores themes of identity, memory, and the impact of trauma on the human psyche.
Cure was widely acclaimed for its innovative approach to horror and its ability to create a sense of tension and anxiety without relying on jump scares or graphic violence. The film has been described as a masterpiece of Japanese horror, and director Kiyoshi Kurosawa has been recognized as one of the most important figures in the genre.