The Man Who Failed To Die
Japanese with English subtitles
A sharp, heartfelt blend of comedy and mystery arrives with The Man Who Failed To Die, a film that explores despair, creativity, and the unexpected connections that pull us back into life.
Ippei, a struggling comedy sketch writer, has reached the end of his rope. Nothing in his career or personal life is working, and in a moment of hopelessness he decides to end it all. But just as he prepares to take that final step, a sudden fatal accident at the train station interrupts him. Drawn to the funeral out of morbid curiosity, he encounters the ghost of the deceased man, Tomohiro — and nothing in Ippei’s life is the same again.
At first, Tomohiro’s presence is an annoyance, a supernatural reminder of everything Ippei wants to escape. Yet as the ghost lingers, he unexpectedly becomes a source of inspiration, sparking a wave of brilliant new sketch ideas. What begins as an unwanted haunting slowly transforms into an unlikely friendship, pushing Ippei to confront his own fears, ambitions, and the value of staying alive.
Starring Katamari Mizukawa of the popular comedy duo Kuuki Kaidan, the film moves effortlessly between humour and mystery, offering a warm, offbeat story about second chances and the strange ways we find purpose.
Stay after the screening for a lively discussion with Pigeon Laughs Comedy Film Club. Co-presented by the Japan Foundation.
CHAPTER CINEMA
Times & Tickets
- Sunday 15 February 2026
