Call Me Chihiro (2023)
Film · Drama
Stream itif you enjoy a slow-paced, meditative look at human connection and the beauty of mundane daily life.
A quiet, slow-paced character study that finds warmth in the mundane interactions of a small seaside town. It is a gentle yet mature film for those who appreciate soulful, observational dramas about finding one's place.
What it is about
An unapologetic former sex worker starts working at a bento stand in a small seaside town, bringing comfort to the lonely souls who come her way.
Trailer
What Call Me Chihiro is like, and who it is for
What it is like to watch
Watching this is like sitting on a quiet beach at dusk. The pace is deliberately slow, allowing the audience to soak in the atmosphere of the small seaside town and the rhythmic routine of the bento shop. It is not intense; rather, it is observant and steady, focusing on small gestures and quiet conversations. The tone is gentle, grounded in a soft reality that prioritises character growth over dramatic outbursts.
Who it is for, and who should skip it
This is perfect for those who find comfort in slice-of-life storytelling and the understated beauty of Japanese independent cinema. If you require a driving plot, high stakes, or fast-paced dialogue, you will likely find this experience tedious. An honest caveat is that at over two hours, the film demands significant patience; it refuses to rush its character beats, which can feel indulgent to some viewers.
The right evening for it
It is ideal for a quiet evening when you want to feel less alone in the world. Pair it with a simple meal and a willingness to simply exist alongside the characters.
Written by our AI from the facts on this page. It has opinions; it has not watched it.
How Call Me Chihiro leaves you
One line on the mood it ends on, with no plot. Some people count that as a spoiler, so it stays hidden until you ask.
You will likely come away with a lingering sense of calm and a soft, melancholic warmth. It leaves you feeling quietly seen and more comfortable with your own solitude.
Stills
Images from TMDB.
If you like this, try
Little Forest (2014)
the same meditative focus on food and finding solace in rural solitude
Kamome Diner (2006)
a similarly gentle look at how food fosters connections between lonely strangers
Our Little Sister (2015)
the shared atmosphere of a quiet coastal town and tender character dynamics
Suggested by our AI for what they share with this one. Linked titles have a page here; the rest are worth a search on the browse page.
Call Me Chihiro soundtrack
Music by Shigeru Kishida
Questions people ask
- Is Call Me Chihiro an authentic film?
- Yes. On Watchlist Boosted it is tagged Authentic, with a cozy streak. A quiet, slow-paced character study that finds warmth in the mundane interactions of a small seaside town. It is a gentle yet mature film for those who appreciate soulful, observational dramas about finding one's place.
- How long is Call Me Chihiro?
- Call Me Chihiro runs 131 min and was released in 2023.
- Where can I watch Call Me Chihiro in the UK?
- In the UK, Call Me Chihiro is included with Netflix (all plans).
- Who composed the music for Call Me Chihiro?
- The music for Call Me Chihiro is by Shigeru Kishida.
- Is Call Me Chihiro worth watching?
- Stream it: if you enjoy a slow-paced, meditative look at human connection and the beauty of mundane daily life. IMDb users rate it 6.9 out of 10 from 4,524 votes, Rotten Tomatoes gives it 75% and TMDB users 7.1.
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