Ghost Killer is the kind of Japanese supernatural action-thriller-comedy that makes you stop halfway through and think: why don’t we get more films like this?

The film follows a college student who ends up haunted — and eventually possessed — by the ghost of a very grumpy, very competent hitman. From there things escalate quickly. The two form an unlikely partnership, start righting a few wrongs, avenge his murder, and deal with an abusive boyfriend along the way. You know… normal Tuesday stuff.

This is the synopsis that Mubi decided to go with:

“After being possessed by the ghost of vengeful hitman Kudo, college student Fumika Matsuoka agrees to help him finish his quest for vengeance from beyond the grave.”

Now technically this is accurate… but it also feels like someone described the movie after only watching the trailer while half asleep. It explains the plot, but completely misses the real highlight of the film: the relationship between Kudo and Fumika.

What begins as pure terror slowly turns into something closer to friendship. And yes, the idea of becoming best mates with the ghost currently borrowing your body sounds questionable at best, but the film somehow makes it work. By the end their dynamic is oddly touching — and occasionally hilarious.

Akari Takaishi, who many people will recognise from the Baby Assassins trilogy, plays Fumika. Here she brings a much quieter, more reserved energy to the role. There’s a subtle strength to her performance that works really well, especially when the chaos starts kicking off around her. And when she does get to fight? She absolutely delivers. The woman has serious action star energy and I really hope Western audiences start paying attention soon.

Then we have Yoshiyuki Yamaguchi as Kudo, the ghostly hitman himself. Where Fumika is quiet and grounded, Kudo is pure menace. He’s intimidating, blunt, and looks like the kind of man who orders black coffee and bad decisions for breakfast. But beneath that icy exterior there’s a surprising sense of honour — and occasionally the emotional range of someone who forgot how feelings work. Honestly, if John Wick ever needed a supernatural rival, this guy would be a solid candidate.

The real magic though is their dynamic. Watching these two characters gradually move from “terrified host and angry ghost” to reluctant partners is where the film really shines.

Director Kensuke Sonomura once again proves why he’s one of the best action directors working right now. The fight scenes are clear, energetic, and — most importantly — you can actually tell what’s happening. No frantic editing, no camera shaking like someone dropped it down a flight of stairs. Just clean, well-choreographed action that lets the performers do their thing.

And when the action hits, it hits hard. And its coming to digital platforms on April 6th.