Lesson of the Evil

Events unfold in modern-day Japan, with occasional flashbacks to Hasumi's American years. The school year, exams, and cultural festival situate the action in a current educational setting, while Hasumi's past provides historical context to his unempathic behavior.

The primary setting is a contemporary Japanese high school where a charming yet dangerous English teacher wields power over students. The story also shifts to Hasumi's past in the United States, including Harvard and a European investment bank, revealing a global backdrop to his persona. The school environment appears modern, featuring classrooms, a culture festival, and the social dynamics of classroom life.

🌀 Facade

Hasumi presents a charming and supportive exterior that masks a cold, calculating inner life. The contrast between appearance and reality drives the tension of the story, revealing how power can corrupt trust within a classroom. The film continuously probes what people choose to show others versus what they feel inside.

⚖️ Moral Ambiguity

The narrative blurs lines between justice and cruelty, as Hasumi justifies violence through a warped logic. Characters grapple with guilt, manipulation, and the questionable ethics of prosecuting or protecting students. The gun of power becomes a legal argument as much as a weapon.

💔 Violence in Education

Set against a backdrop of bullying, blackmail, and sexual misconduct, the film treats the school as a battleground. The massacre that unfolds exposes how institutions can fail to protect students and how fear can be weaponized. It forces viewers to confront the horror that can emerge from toxic power dynamics.

🏛️ Authority & Control

Hasumi's control over staff, students, and their narratives demonstrates how authority can be misused for personal satisfaction. The story showcases coercive tactics—blackmail, manipulation, and staged suicides—to maintain dominance. The outcome questions whether admiration for charisma can excuse criminal manipulation.