The Strange Killers (2002)

Genres - Horror, Comedy  |   Sub-Genres - Horror Comedy, Parody/Spoof  |   Run Time - 66 min.  |   Countries - Japan  |   MPAA Rating - NR
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Synopsis by Josh Ralske

When the Japan Hitmen's Association has their monthly manager's meeting, it's decided that, with the state of the economy, a couple of bunglers might have to be cut from the roster. "Lone Wolf" Inuzuka is the 99th-ranked member of the organization, and he panics at the prospect of "assassinating" a dog. Goro Saeki is the lowest-ranked member, and he seems more likely to injure himself than eliminate any of his targets. Junko is a pregnant woman with a child from her previous marriage, who finds herself saddled with Tetsuo, a lazy bum of a husband. Tetsuo refuses to get a job, he's having an affair with a schoolgirl, and he won't grant Junko a divorce. In desperation, she tries to hire a hitman. Inuzuka is given the job, and told that it's his last chance. If he messes this up, the consequences will be dire. But when Saeki gets word that Inuzuka is on the job, he does everything in his power to stop him, hoping to prevent being "laid off" himself. Saeki sends his minions out to poison Lone Wolf, and sends tubby martial arts expert "Mr. T" to finish him off. Meanwhile, Tetsuo's emotionally unstable mistress has decided that the only thing that stands between her and a lifetime of happiness with Tetsuo is Junko. In a passionate rage, she murders Junko with a power drill, but Junko turns out to be more resilient than expected, coming back as a zombie hell-bent on revenge. The Strange Killers, shot on video, marks the directorial debut of Shunsuke Yamamoto. It had its U.S. premiere at the 2004 New York Asian American International Film Festival.

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