Prolific genre filmmaker Takashi Miike (Audition, Ichi the Killer) is back with Lumberjack the Monster, an adaptation of Kaibutsu no Kikori by Mayusuke Kurai. A brand new Japanese teaser trailer highlights the violence in store when a serial killer crosses paths with a psychopath.

The trailer introduces a Patrick Bateman-like psycho and a masked killer that may prove even more bloodthirsty, teasing a hyper-violent grudge match for the ages. The film’s official site explains, “A series of bizarre murders in which people wear a monster mask from the picture book ‘Monster Woodcutter’ and steal their brains with an axe.” The teaser also touts Miike’s feature as “insanely suspenseful.”

Whoever loses, all signs point to audiences winning. Miike always delivers on the unexpected and never shies away from pushing boundaries when it comes to violence or taboos.

Lumberjack the Monster is slated for theatrical release in Japan on December 1, 2023. No release date has been announced stateside yet, so stay tuned.

In the film, “Akira Ninomiya (Kamenashi) is a remorseless lawyer who doesn’t hesitate to eliminate anyone who stands in his way. One night he is brutally attacked by an unknown assailant wearing a monster mask. Although he miraculously survives the assault, Ninomiya becomes fixated on finding the attacker and getting revenge. Meanwhile, a series of gruesome murders occur where the victims are found with their brains removed from their bodies. While police conduct an intensive investigation, Ninomiya seeks revenge against the assaulter. Who will uncover the truth first?!”

Hiroyoshi Koiwai (Blade of the Immortal, Bleach) wrote the screenplay.

Kazuya Kamenashi, Nanao, Riho Yoshioka, Shota Sometani, and Shido Nakamura star.

Feast your eyes on the delightfully unhinged teaser trailer below. While we wait for news of a US release, you can check out Miike’s Gozu, a surreal genre film about a Yakuza enforcer, over on SCREAMBOX now.