Carved: The Slit-Mouthed Woman

Carved: The Slit-Mouthed Woman is a dark Japanese horror film that brings an old urban legend to life. Directed by Koji Shiraishi, it tells the story of a vengeful spirit who appears in a small town, terrifying everyone. She wears a mask, carries huge scissors, and asks a chilling question: “Am I beautiful?” What follows is a mix of supernatural horror and painful human drama.

The film starts with child kidnappings in a quiet neighborhood. People whisper that the slit-mouthed woman from local legend has returned. Two teachers, Kyoko and Noboru, investigate after their students disappear. Kyoko is troubled with a violent temper, and Noboru seems to know more about the curse than he admits.

As they dig deeper, they find the legend is real and connected to human cruelty.
What makes Carved unsettling is how it mixes ghostly horror with real-life issues. The film doesn’t just focus on killings but also shows child abuse by parents and teachers. These moments are not easy to watch. They make the story feel more real but also uncomfortable.

The slit-mouthed woman herself is haunting. Her long coat, quiet movements, and terrible smile give you chills. Shiraishi shows her often, which makes her less mysterious, but her presence still works. The movie gives her the power to possess people after death, letting her spirit move from body to body.

The film has flaws. The plot can be thin with weak twists and coincidences. Some scenes feel rushed or forced, and the ending doesn’t offer much closure. Still, the mood sticks with me. The gray lighting, empty streets, and quiet dread create a heavy atmosphere.

Eriko Sato does a good job as Kyoko, showing both guilt and fear. She feels human in a story full of horror. The direction is simple but effective, and even with a low budget, Shiraishi makes the town feel isolated and cursed.

In the end, Carved isn’t perfect, but it has power. It’s cruel, eerie, and deeply emotional at times. It’s more about the pain people cause each other than just a ghost story. The idea of a spirit born from human suffering gives it more meaning than most urban legend horror. It’s not easy to watch, but it’s hard to forget.