Death Note

Death Note

Year: 2017

Runtime: 101 min

Language: English

Echo Score: 50

Budget: $50M

ActionAdventureDramaMysteryThrillerFantasyHorrorCrime

A brilliant high school student discovers a mysterious notebook that grants him the power to kill anyone whose name is written within it. Driven by a desire to create a world free of crime, he begins using the notebook, but as he does, he finds himself increasingly consumed by his actions and pursued by a dedicated detective determined to stop him. The ensuing cat-and-mouse game tests the boundaries of justice and morality.

Death Note (2017) – Spoiler-Free Movie Summary & Plot Overview

Get a spoiler-free look at Death Note (2017) with a clear plot overview that covers the setting, main characters, and story premise—without revealing key twists or the ending. Perfect for deciding if this film is your next watch.

In the neon‑lit streets of modern Tokyo, a brilliant high school prodigy discovers an eerie black notebook that promises unimaginable power: anyone whose true name is written inside meets an instant end. Light Yagami is instantly drawn to the possibility of reshaping a world riddled with crime, envisioning a new order where justice is delivered by his own hand. The notebook’s stark, almost clinical rules turn the city’s ordinary rhythm into a backdrop for a quiet, relentless experiment in morality.

Opposite this quiet ambition stands a singular mind dedicated to unraveling the mystery. L is a reclusive, eccentric detective whose relentless curiosity and unconventional methods make him the perfect foil to Light’s calculated resolve. Their clash is less a battle of fists than a tense, cerebral duel played out across the labyrinthine corridors of law enforcement, media frenzy, and the hidden undercurrents of a society that never truly sleeps. The cat‑and‑mouse chase they embark upon is infused with a palpable sense of dread, as each move reverberates through the city’s collective consciousness.

The film’s tone balances stark, high‑contrast visuals with an unsettling quiet that underscores every decision made by its protagonists. It asks the viewer to consider how far one might go when granted absolute authority, and what the cost of such a pursuit might be—not just for the individual, but for the fragile fabric of society itself. With every scene drenched in tension, the story invites you to watch two brilliant intellects dance on the edge of obsession, wondering whether the line between hero and villain is drawn by intention or consequence.

Last Updated: August 10, 2025 at 03:07

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Death Note Summary

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Death Note Summary

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Characters, Settings & Themes in Death Note

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Characters, Settings & Themes in Death Note

Death Note Ending Explained

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Death Note Ending Explained

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