I watched Japanese Movie “Maternal Instinct” (2022). It was filmed based on the original novel by Minato Kanae, known as a mystery novel writer that deals with the dark, disgusting aspects of human nature leaving its readers with a sour aftertaste and yet is entertaining. I also have read the original novel, and two of them left very different impression.

The movie describes maternal instinct for two of mothers and daughter. Rumiko was raised with a lot of love and care by her mother. But Rumiko, who grew up with her mother’s motherly love all her life, become a mother who had no motherly love at all for her own child, Sayaka. In this movie, audience will see the same scene depicted from the perspective of Rumiko and Sayaka, using the technique so-called “unreliable narrator”. For example, from Rumiko’s perspective, Rumiko is hugs Sayaka. In contrast, from Sayaka’s perspective, Rumiko chokes Sayaka. At the end of the movie, Sayaka reveals that she is pregnant, and telling that to Rumiko. It looks  happy ending at a glance, but it left a disturbing impression if Sayaka is a woman who have maternal instinct, or not.