Suicide Club

Suicide Club

Year: 2001

Runtime: 99 mins

Language: Japanese

Director: Sion Sono

DramaThrillerHorrorIntense violence and sexual transgressionHorror the undead and monster classics

After 54 schoolgirls jump in front of a subway train, the tragedy quickly spirals into a wave of suicides across Japan. Detective Kuroda is assigned to uncover the cause, but he soon discovers the case is far more complex than he had hoped, revealing a disturbing pattern behind the deaths.

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Timeline & Setting – Suicide Club (2001)

Explore the full timeline and setting of Suicide Club (2001). Follow every major event in chronological order and see how the environment shapes the story, characters, and dramatic tension.

Time period

May 27 – June 2

Events unfold over six days from late May to early June. The period is defined by escalating suicides, online clues, and urgent police work as they chase a pattern tied to a mysterious 'Suicide Club'. The sequence culminates with the band Dessert performing and the credits rolling as disturbances persist.

Location

Tokyo, Japan

Primarily set in Tokyo, the film follows a city rocked by a spate of suicides. It traces scenes from schools, hospitals, and train stations, illustrating how urban spaces become stages for collective despair. The narrative also references suicides across Japan, signaling a nationwide crisis that extends beyond the capital.

🌆 Tokyo 🗺️ Urban setting 💀 Tragedy

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 11:53

Main Characters – Suicide Club (2001)

Meet the key characters of Suicide Club (2001), with detailed profiles, motivations, and roles in the plot. Understand their emotional journeys and what they reveal about the film’s deeper themes.

Detective Kuroda (Ryō Ishibashi)

An experienced detective who drives the investigation into the suicide wave. He grapples with personal loss as his family is touched by the crisis, fueling a weary, relentless pursuit of answers. Pragmatic and worn, he anchors the team as the scale of the case darkens.

🕵️ Detective 🧠 Investigator 💔 Burdened

Detective Shibusawa (Masatoshi Nagase)

A veteran, level-headed member of the trio who coordinates field operations and stakeouts. He spots patterns behind the suicides and remains a steady presence as the investigation intensifies. His interactions, including a tense moment with Mitsuko at the station, heighten the stakes.

🕵️ Detective 🧭 Experienced 💬 Persistent

Detective Murata (Akaji Maro)

The third investigator in the team, providing a calm, methodical counterpoint to the others. His experience helps ground the escalating chaos as the detectives chase clues across Japan. He embodies steadiness amid a rapidly unfolding crisis.

🕵️ Detective 🧭 Veteran 🌀 Calm

Kiyoko (The Bat) (Yôko Kamon)

A hacker who routes information to the police, revealing connections between suicides and an online presence. Her information becomes crucial in linking cases, though she is later captured by Genesis’s group, underscoring the peril behind seeking truth.

🧠 Hacker 🧭 Informant 🎯 Targeted

Mitsuko

A teenage girl who becomes entangled in the unfolding crisis, including police questioning and the discovery of a butterfly tattoo. Her journey intersects with the pattern of signs guiding the investigation, making her a focal point of the tragedy.

👧 Teen 💔 Victim 🦋 Butterfly tattoo

Genesis

Leader of the underground group, Genesis operates from a hidden subculture hub and drives the rituals surrounding the 'Suicide Club.' His charisma and menace shape the events that unfold around the victims and investigators alike.

🧠 Mastermind 🎭 Charismatic 🕳️ Shadowy

Muneo 'Genesis' Suzuki

A member of Genesis’ gang, contributing to the group’s intimidating presence. His actions reflect the violent and loyal dynamics that propel the crime wave and the social commentary at the film’s core.

🗡️ Gang member 🧭 Loyal 🔪 Violent

Kiyoko's Sister

Maiko Mori’s character appears as part of the broader network surrounding the central figures. Her role ties into the film’s themes of family, belonging, and how the crisis spreads through different social circles.

👧 Family 🧭 Connection

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 11:53

Major Themes – Suicide Club (2001)

Explore the central themes of Suicide Club (2001), from psychological, social, and emotional dimensions to philosophical messages. Understand what the film is really saying beneath the surface.

💀 Nihilism

Explores the allure and consequence of nihilism in contemporary society. The wave of self-destruction arises from a sense of meaninglessness and social alienation rather than simple criminality. The 'Suicide Club' myth turns individuals into interchangeable parts within a larger machine of despair. The film questions whether media and crowd mentality exacerbate personal loss or reveal hidden truths about existence.

🌐 Media & Internet

An online system tracks suicides with red and white circles, influencing how events unfold. A hacker named Kiyoko initiates evidence of connections, turning the web into a map of death. The film critiques sensational coverage and the voyeuristic consumption of tragedy. It shows how information can spark further imitation and fear.

🎭 Societal Pressure & Identity

The film depicts how social expectations pressure individuals to conform, erasing personal identity in the process. Mitsuko's butterfly tattoo becomes a symbol of fragile individuality amid a culture that values outward signs over inner truth. The pattern of signs and branding—like the keypad spelling of 'suicide'—highlights how society negotiates identity through collective symbols. The narrative questions the cost of conformity and the erasure of personal meaning.

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 11:53

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Unlock the Full Story of Suicide Club

Don't stop at just watching — explore Suicide Club in full detail. From the complete plot summary and scene-by-scene timeline to character breakdowns, thematic analysis, and a deep dive into the ending — every page helps you truly understand what Suicide Club is all about. Plus, discover what's next after the movie.

Suicide Club Summary

Read a complete plot summary of Suicide Club, including all key story points, character arcs, and turning points. This in-depth recap is ideal for understanding the narrative structure or reviewing what happened in the movie.

Suicide Club Summary

Suicide Club Timeline

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Suicide Club Timeline

Suicide Club Spoiler-Free Summary

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Suicide Club Spoiler-Free Summary

More About Suicide Club

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