Actors Kento Yamazaki and Kohei Matsushita will co-star in the live-action film adaptation of Keigo Higashino's highly anticipated novel "The Gate of Murder" (to be released on February 19, 2027), directed by Hiroshi Kanai. The two will play a man who ruins the life of his "best friend" and a man who wants to kill that same "best friend."
"The Gate of Murder" is a mystery novel published by Kadokawa Shoten in 2003. Kuramochi (played by Yamazaki) is Tajima's (played by Matsushita) childhood friend and "best friend," always lending a helping hand when he's in trouble. However, whenever Tajima's life goes awry, Kuramochi is always there in the shadows. And a certain suspicion and murderous intent continues to grow within Tajima. What is the purpose of Kuramochi, who helps his "best friend" only to betray him...? That's the story.
A Teaser trailer has also been released. It features Kuramochi, who gives off the impression of a sophisticated businessman, and Tajima, who seems to have gone through some hardships. Kuramochi holds a cigarette in his hand and puts his arm around Tajima's shoulder as they walk through the nighttime entertainment district. Kuramochi confidently says, "We're best friends, aren't we?" which is quite striking. And then, right after this exchange between the two "best friends," the title sequence for "The Gate of Murder" suddenly appears.
Yamazaki and Matsushita have become close friends in real life since playing best friends in the 2022 Sunday drama "Atom no Wara" (TBS). Regarding their appearance in this project, Yamazaki commented, "When I first read the script, there were parts I couldn't fully understand at first, but I still felt an indescribable sense of excitement." He added, "I hope viewers will be able to feel the friendship and murderous intent that flows between these two men who are starved for love on the screen."
◇Comment from Keigo Higashino (original author)
I've already been surprised twice by this film adaptation. The first time was when I learned that there were people who wanted to turn such a troublesome novel into a film, and that there were actors who wanted to be in it. The second time is now, I'm surprised that such a project has actually come to fruition. And the third time will probably be after I see the film. I'm really looking forward to seeing whether I'll be dazed with emotion or dazed in a different way.
◇Comment from Kento Yamazaki
When I first read the script, there were parts I didn't fully understand at first, but I still felt an indescribable fascination. The story is by no means simple; the more I thought about it, the more layers it seemed to have, and I think that complexity is its charm. Osamu Kuramochi is a character who disrupts the story, a complex man with a mix of various emotions such as dependence, love, obsession, and friendship. And I also feel that this story is essentially a "love story."
◇Comment from Kohei Matsushita
While playing the role of Tajima, I often thought about the psychology of addiction. Why can't you leave someone who hurts you? Even though his life has been ruined by Kuramochi, why does he still crave him? I hope you can feel the friendship and murderous intent that flows between these two men, who are starved for love, on the screen. In a sense, this movie might be the ultimate love story.
◇Comments from Director Hiroshi Kanai
When I first received the offer for this project, I was thrilled to be able to work with Kento Yamazaki again after so long, and to take on my first feature film, a masterpiece by Keigo Higashino, together with him. When I read the original novel, I felt a kind of "beauty" in the friendship that lay beneath the utterly dark and hopeless story. Kento Yamazaki and Kohei Matsushita portrayed this "twisted friendship" in the most beautiful and raw way possible. Please come and see the intense human drama swirling inside the gate on the big screen.
