BHFF 2025: ‘Incomplete Chairs’ Is A Splatter Horror Film With Gnarly Effects

International horror is often more willing to be daring and explore taboos that we might not otherwise see. Incomplete Chairs fits the bill in terms of being a daring splatter horror film that also happens to mildly dig into capitalism, consumerism, and the digital age. It might not be perfect in terms of the script or entirely coming together as a story in the end, but it’s certain to bring some squelching sounds to your day. 

Incomplete Chairs is directed by Ken’ichi Ugana and follows Shinsuke Kujo (Ryu Ichinose), a man obsessed with creating what he perceives to be the perfect chair. Instead of being a horror film that merely implies its violence, we get to see most of it. If the idea of splatter horror, exploitation films, and the like doesn’t entice you, then Incomplete Chairs isn’t the one for you. 

The film starts off with Kujo facilitating an interview, presumably in his apartment, with a younger man who doesn’t seem that invested. Despite the film’s premise sounding like the events will play out seriously, it immediately ventures into comedic horror. Complete with the satirical undertones of how people behave throughout.

Incomplete Chairs is a blunt critique of capitalism.

The man that Kujo is speaking to is barely paying attention to him. He keeps browsing his phone, and it seems to hint at a stereotype for Gen Z folks. However, he doesn’t last long. Kujo dispatches him quickly, using a mallet to violently beat him over the head. 

It’s no wonder why Incomplete Chairs has been compared to American Psycho, which is known to be a blunt critique of capitalism. Albiet this film has its own particular focus, it’s also set in Japan and offers a look into consumerism in a different country. Instead of focusing on corporate white America, the movie sees things from the perspective of a Japanese man. He’s a different level of unstable, especially given the reasons he’s committing these gruesome acts. 

Visually, the film is quite gory. It tries to widen your eyes to an astronomical degree. For folks who enjoy splatter horror, it might not make you upchuck your lunch anytime soon. However, the apartment becomes more and more foul throughout. Kujo’s physical presence also becomes increasingly sketchy, yet nobody seems to actually notice. 

Incomplete Chairs is a total splatterfest.

The concepts of capitalism are explored through Kujo’s desire to achieve perfection by any means necessary. Kujo is striving for perfectionism in making his chair, and consumer capitalism thrives on the drive for perfectionism. There’s also an uncomfortable look into plagiarism when Kujo is revealed to have plagiarized to get his foot in the door to see a potential buyer. Unfortunately, even if the film dug further into these topics, the story still falls flat on its face before the credits hit. 

There’s only so much to dig into where the plot is concerned because it’s very much just Kujo killing people, somehow not getting caught, the buyer and her coworker making foolish decisions regarding what to do about Kujo, and then eventually getting the inevitable reveal of what Kujo has been working on. 

Incomplete Chairs does everything right as far as providing perfectly gross sound effects, practical effects, and a deranged performance from Ryo Ichinose. But it falters when it comes to bringing everything together on a script level. We’re left wondering how nobody in the apartment complex noticed the smells, or how a deliveryman went missing without anyone questioning it. All those things can be chalked up to horror logic, but if you’re someone who gets hung up on those details, the film might lose you a little. 

Incomplete Chairs is a solid addition to the Asian horror catalogue.

On top of the minor grievances, there are no obstacles for Kujo throughout the entire film. It might’ve added a bit more bulk to the plot if things didn’t always go according to plan. Instead, maybe someone in the complex could’ve grown concerned for the people who used to live in the home.

Throughout the runtime, Kujo becomes increasingly impulsive in his decision-making. And while it makes for wacky sequences that do venture into horror comedy territory, it does get somewhat repetitive when he’s able to kill his victims without much issue. 

Regardless, Incomplete Chairs does its best with its small budget, and that’s worth noting. Instead of feeling like a film where there’s no obvious passion for directing, Incomplete Chairs presents the opposite. Ken’ichi Ugana’s passion shines through in the way the film is shot, with close-ups on the gore and bloody moments, and the reveal of the chair plays out with such glee that you can’t help but appreciate it. 

At the end of the day, you’ll appreciate Incomplete Chairs for its wacky antics, shameless splatter, the social commentary, and the performance from Ichinose. It’s a decent addition to the Asian horror catalogue, and for those who like low-budget international horror efforts, this one might very well speak to you.

Incomplete Chairs screened as part of the Brooklyn Horror Film Festival.