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Following a string of successful shorts and other features, ex-patriate writer/director Doug Roos took the crowdfunding route to compile his latest feature, the gory creature feature horror “Bakemono.” Shot in and around Tokyo with a cast and crew of local talent, the enigmatic film displays his love for creature features, monsters, and old-school practical effects. Now, as the film continues its festival run, the graphic monster movie comes to Japan Filmfest Hamburg for its next special screening.

Bakemono is screening at Japan FilmFest Hamburg

Arriving at a Tokyo Airbnb apartment, Anna (Marilyn Kawakami) and her friend Risa (Miki Nomura) are hoping to use the space as a way of getting out of the horrors of the city and relaxing. The same goes for Army Officer Sean (Conor Lyne), who's happy to get out of the hellish relationship that he just ended while staying at the apartment. As bodies go...

Stars: Takashi Irie, Yukina Takase, Yurika Natsume, Miki Nomura, Laila Chiba, Scott Anthony, Dominic Early, Setsuka Akiyama, Takumi Isaji, Marilyn Kawakami | Written and Directed by Doug Roos

In Tokyo, an exasperated woman wheels her suitcase to the AirBnB that she has rented. After entering the apartment, she is surprised by how creepy the location is, yet remains unaware that something lurks within the darkness. That blissful ignorance does not last long, as a loud musical sting plays while the monstrous being strikes. As highlighted by the opening credits, Bakemono is Japanese for monster, broken down by how Bake means changing/transforming, while Mono means thing/creature.

Throughout the unfolding feature, focus is shared between the different people who each momentarily stay within the rental apartment at different times. There are different reasons for their custom, including an upset man who was cheated on, a trio of friends left stranded by...

Stars: Takashi Irie, Yukina Takase, Yurika Natsume, Miki Nomura, Laila Chiba, Scott Anthony, Dominic Early, Setsuka Akiyama, Takumi Isaji, Marilyn Kawakami | Written and Directed by Doug Roos

Bakemono, the film’s title card informs us, is Japanese for monster, a combination of “bake” which means changing or transforming and “mono” which means thing or creature. And that is what the film is about, a shapeshifting creature killing people in a Tokyo Airbnb. Killing lots of people and shedding lots of blood in the process, which is both the film’s strong point and biggest weakness.

Writer/director Doug Roos has set up a very minimal plot that involves Mitsou who has conjured up the demonic creature which now preys on those unfortunate enough to rent the apartment. This leads to a parade of victims. Some it simply attacks, others it seems to draw out their baser emotions causing them to quarrel with,...