The Third Murder (2018) Characters, Setting & Themes Explained

The film is primarily set in Yokohama, a major city in Japan, which serves as the central hub for the legal investigation. Key locations include the Tama River area where the murder occurs, Kawasaki (where the victim's workplace is located), and Rumoi, which is Misumi's hometown that appears in flashbacks and memories.

• yokohama
• kawasaki
• tama river
• rumoi
• setting
• japan

The story is set in contemporary Japan on October 11, 2017. This modern setting allows the film to explore current issues within the Japanese legal system, including the death penalty and questions of justice in a society still grappling with its past.

• 2017
• october
• time period
• contemporary
• japan

Shigemori is a seasoned criminal defense attorney portrayed by Masaharu Fukuyama. He takes on the challenging case of defending Misumi, a man who admits to murder. Throughout the film, Shigemori struggles with the conflict between his professional duty to defend his client and his personal moral compass as unsettling details about the case emerge.

• shigemori
• defense attorney
• lawyer
• masaharu fukuyama

Misumi, played by Kôji Yakusho, is the defendant who readily admits to committing murder. He has a troubled past connected to his hometown of Rumoi, and his conflicting testimonies challenge everyone involved in the case. His character embodies the struggle between victimhood and guilt, creating confusion about his true motivations.

• misumi
• defendant
• kôji yakusho
• rumoi

Sakie, portrayed by Suzu Hirose, is the daughter of the murder victim. She represents the emotional toll of tragedy and grapples with forgiveness and understanding her father's situation. Her character explores themes of familial bonds, grief, and the long-lasting impact of loss on survivors.

• sakie
• suzu hirose
• victim's daughter
• grief

Settsu, played by Kôtarô Yoshida, is Misumi's former attorney. His revelations about the case challenge the perception of a premeditated crime and provide a practical legal perspective that contrasts with Shigemori's approach. Settsu's information prompts the defense to reconsider their entire strategy.

• settsu
• kôtarô yoshida
• former attorney
• legal

Justice is the central theme of the film, with Shigemori as a defense attorney navigating the intricate Japanese legal system. The movie questions whether true justice can be served amid layers of deception and emotional turmoil. The ambiguous ending leaves viewers questioning whether the verdict serves actual justice or simply satisfies legal requirements.

• justice
• legal system
• death penalty
• trial

The film deeply explores the subjective nature of truth, particularly through Misumi's conflicting testimonies and Shigemori's investigation. Characters manipulate and share their narratives, leading to a convoluted understanding of reality. The film emphasizes that the line between truth and deception is often blurred, especially in legal contexts where multiple perspectives compete.

• truth
• deception
• confession
• subjective reality

Loss resonates throughout the narrative in both physical and emotional forms. The murder victim is gone, but each character experiences their own form of grief. Sakie, as the victim's daughter, carries the weight of unresolved trauma, while other characters confront losses from their pasts that shape their present circumstances and choices.

• loss
• grief
• trauma
• death
• mourning

Yes, the death penalty is a significant element in the film. The case takes place within Japan's capital punishment system, and the final verdict raises profound questions about justice, retribution, and the irreversible nature of executing someone when the truth remains uncertain.

• death penalty
• capital punishment
• japan legal system

The ambiguous ending reflects the film's core themes of justice and truth. Rather than providing clear answers, the film suggests that truth is subjective and justice may be unattainable. This deliberate uncertainty forces viewers to grapple with the same moral complexities that Shigemori faces throughout his investigation.

• ambiguous ending
• truth
• justice
• interpretation