If you want to read my review of Paprika, read this post. In パプリカ, thieves steal the DC-Mini, a revolutionary device capable of accessing and recording dreams, before it receives government approval and before the access protocol has been established.
Atsuko Chiba (Megumi Hayashibara) works at the psychiatric research foundation and, in the dream world, her alter ego is Paprika.
“We are simply pursuing a deeper connection with our patients”
Dr. Seijirō Inui (Tōru Emori) was the President and suspected Paprika of misusing the DC-Mini, without knowing who she was in the real world.
“I hear there’s a woman who’s been using the psychotherapy machine for unapproved treatments.”
Without an access protocol, the DC-Mini can serve as a gateway to other equipment used in psychiatric therapies and to the patients’ minds.
Paprika: spoiler
If the DC-Mini prototype is completed, thieves would gain access to people’s minds, even while they are awake, enabling control over reality itself.
“It was an invention that should never been created.”
The thieves’ first victim was the director of Paprika, Dr. Toratarō Shima (Katsunosuke Hori), who jumped out the window after having a patient’s dream implanted in his mind.
“The culprit has to be watching this nightmare too.”
The suspect who invaded the Director’s mind was Kei Himuro (Daisuke Sakaguchi), a former protégé of the DC-Mini’s creator, Dr. Kōsaku Tokita (Tōru Furuya)
The next victim of the DC-Mini was Dr. Chiba herself, who tried to jump from the balcony but was saved by Dr. Morio Osanai (Kōichi Yamadera).
“Dr. Chiba, who has had the most exposure was more susceptible to invasion.”
The director’s mind is invaded once again, and as his psyche is overwhelmed by the dreams of a severely delusional patient, his brain waves and body deteriorate to the point of near-death.
The victims keep piling up, and when Paprika discovers Himuro’s whereabouts, he too is found to have fallen victim to the DC-Mini and there are still two more stolen prototypes.
Paprika review: Why do we sleep?
I’ve always found sleep counterproductive. It resembles death, but don’t worry. It is reversible, yet it also paralyzes you and fills your mind with hallucinogenic fluids.
From an evolutionary perspective, sleep is the most idiotic behavior of all. We don’t find a mate, we don’t reproduce, we don’t eat, and we remain vulnerable to predators.
However, recent studies show that there is no physiological or neurological system that is not considerably improved by sleep and impaired by a lack of sleep.
Why you should watch Paprika
I won’t leave Paprika ending explained and where to watch depends on your location, but this japanese film is a bizarre, complex masterpiece with stunning visuals that demands multiple viewings due to its many layers.
If Christopher Nolan were to direct a Japanese animation about dreams in the style of Inception, Paprika would be that movie, a timeless classic.
Paprika trailer
I really feel that you will like this one. So I decided to do this Papurika review. Go ahead, immerse yourself in the story, the environment and the soundtrack.
And come back later to tell me what you think in the comments. This movie is like Christopher Nolan directing Japanese animation.
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