Last year The Substance became a hot body horror film about the extreme length Demi Moore would go to maintain her beauty empire as a fitness queen. The film seemed rather inventive and original. But was it that original? If you lived in Japan and saw Helter Skelter in 2012, you knew better. Helter Skelter (not to be confused with the ’70s miniseries about the Manson Family) is also about a model who goes to extreme lengths to maintain her beauty empire. This movie came out first, but didn’t really come to America until a few years ago. The story goes back even further since Helter Skelter is based on the magna by Kyôko Okazaki that was published in 2003.
Lilico (The Cat In Their Arms’ Erika Sawajiri) has become the model sensation of Tokyo. She’s on the cover of every fashion and lifestyle magazine on the stands. She’s making a fortune endorsing products. Her career in films is about to get launched. She has a legion of fans eager to duplicate her style and “natural” beauty. She’s on top and has zero desire to give up an inch of oxygen to any other model. She is more than willing to do whatever is necessary to get her dreams. She has no problem sleeping with anyone that can get her to the next step. To keep up her beauty, she’s more than willing to use cutting edge enhancement surgery. Her secret is that instead of going to a normal plastic surgeon, Lilico uses a doctor who is pushing the boundaries. This involves a lot of techniques that have not been approved as safe and might be a crime. This is where the police crop up since a few patients of the outlaw clinic have been showing up dead. What exactly is going into the needles to restore youthful glows? Will this beauty regime bring down Lilico’s empire?
Director Mika Ninagawa (Sakuran) worked in the fashion industry and brings her understanding of the business to the screen. She brings a great sense of visuals to the tale. The colors flash on the screen with Lilco at the center of the action. Helter Skelter has amazing frantic moments as the model melts down from her normal attitude and then when things don’t go right with her beauty treatments. Erika Sawajiri is unbelievably effective in the lead. She knows how to steal the spotlight when others in the room might want her character’s notoriety. She controls the screen. When the body horror aspect kicks in, she really gets deeper into her character. Helter Skelter is a stunning depiction of a model in crisis.
The Video is 1.85:1 anamorphic. The transfer pops with color from Lilico’s life and modeling career. The Audio is Japanese 5.1 & 2.0 DTS-HD MA. Things sound sleek. The English subtitles are from a new translation.
Audio Commentary by Tori Potenza and Amber T. gets into the body horror part of the movie.
Interview with Director Mika Ninagawa (6:22) is from after the press screening. She was nervous about the reception since it was a project she’d been wanting to make for a while. But initial reception was good.
Interview with Erika Sawajiri (5:50) was done when the film was coming out in Japan. She’s nervous since it she hadn’t acted in a film for a while. She’s happy other people feel the film is good. She still thinks there are things she could have done better. There is talk about getting into Lilico’s attitude.
Behind the Scenes Footage of the Making of Helter Skelter (12:03) shows off the colorful sets. We see how they create a few of the meltdown scenes.
Japan Premiere Stage Greeting (10:49) opens with Mika Ninagawa thrilled that those in the seats will get to see the film she’s been wanting to make for a while. They are reminded to come back to see the film in a theater if they like it.
Opening Day Stage Greeting (15:40) has Mika Ninagawa, Erika Sawajiri and others come up to the screen to welcome the audience. They need to do this in America.
Taipei Film Festival Q&A (5:19) that took place after a screening. Director Mika Ninagawa gets into how she was attracted to the manga. She chose Erika Sawajiri because there was a bit of scandal involving her. She understands what’s at stake for her character.
Original Rehearsal Footage (12:43) includes various character from their interrogation scenes.
Stills Gallery (2:05) includes the posters and press photos.
Trailer (2:54) gives us a sense of Lilico’s wild life at the top of the modeling world. We also get a sense of her dark secret. There was a bonus gift if you went opening day.
Teaser (0:50) lets us know she has a secret. This is not a film. It’s a scandal.
Illustrated booklet with an essay by Violet Burns about the film.
88 Films present Helter Skelter: Limited Edition. Directed by Mika Ninagawa. Screenplay by Arisa Kaneko. Starring Erika Sawajiri, Nao Ômori, Shinobu Terajima, Gô Ayano, Kiko Mizuhara, Hirofumi Arai, Anne Suzuki & Susumu Terajima. Running Time: 127 minutes. Rating: Unrated. Release Date: March 24, 2026.
