Gate of Hell Foresaw The Incel
Today we’re talking about Gate of Hell, a 1953 jidaegeki (period drama) film. Set in 12th Century Japan, the movie focuses on a samurai Endō Morito, and his obsession with a lady-in-waiting Kesa. It’s not a classic love story. It’s actually a painful and scary love story, mainly because it’s so realistic. It’s 129 minutes of simple and great storytelling that cuts deep because it’s very plausible. Let’s set some backstory.
At the start of the film, the local daimyō’s palace is being invaded by rebels. Kesa disguises herself as the daimyō’s sister to allow the real daimyō and his sister to escape. Things get hairy and she ends up being rescued by Endō, the samurai. Endō finds himself immensely attracted to Kesa. He asks daimyō to give him Kesa’s hand in marriage. The daimyō agrees at first, but then is reminded that Kesa is already married to Wataru, another (albeit lesser ranking) samurai. Oh well. There’s lots of fish in the sea right? Surely Endō will let this go and move on to another woman…
Nope. Not at all. This movie might feature two samurai and a whole rebellion subplot, but there’s about 8 minutes of action in the entire film. Most of this movie is Endō brooding, and Kesa being rightfully creeped out. He also spends some time bullying Wataru, who is actually a great guy. This movie maxed out “cringe” before it was a thing.
Endō might be the protagonist, but he’s also the villain. He’s a complete lunatic who thinks he is entitled to Kesa because...because…he’s under the impression that he’s extremely hip and cool. And he’s not. He’s a whiny baby. This guy is the WOAT (Worst of All Time). A completely unfun individual. There’s actually nothing likeable about him. Even his hair sucks.
And yet, he’s allowed to be an abusive jerk because he’s a high ranking samurai. And that’s what this movie is really about-the complete disregard of others shown by violent men in positions of power in feudal Japan. It’s hard to watch and hard to look away from. I couldn’t believe it as I was watching. Surely someone would stop this guy. He’s a literal terror. But no one does. in fact, his fellow samurai might actually make it worse by making fun of him for being so infatuated with Kesa. This only leads to him taking more drastic measures.
I’m not in the business of spoiling films, most of the time. So I’ll only do a half spoil. There comes a point where Endō gives Kesa an ultimatum. “Leave your husband voluntarily and be with me, or I’ll kill everyone you care about.” What happens next is tough to watch.
This was a movie I thought was pretty good, but the statement it made really resounded. It’s message was stronger than the film itself, but the film deserves credit for being able to convey that message so well. Even though the movie moves slowly through it’s hour and a half run time, it quickly builds the sense of tension and danger that comes with a more powerful man trying to steal your wife. Especially when she spurns him. Endō is a man who cannot accept rejection. It eats up every thought he has and drives every decision he makes.
It’s a simple story. 3 characters. A faux love triangles. Power dynamics. Lust and agony. But it’s a powerful message. Gate of Hell is probably a dramatic title. But looking back, it works for the overall story. Because the jealousy and rage Endō feels really is the gate of Hell. And it drives him to the very edge of his humanity,
I don’t know if I would recommend this film, but I think it’s important you know about it. It feels very relevant now with the rise in single men and childlessness worldwide. It feels like an proto-parable about the incel and the rage that defines such men. See, there’s a difference between the “incel” and the guy whose down on his luck. When a guy is down on his luck, you can just tell. You feel bad for him, either because he’s trying very hard, or there’s probably no point in trying.
Endō is an incel. You don’t feel bad for him. He’s a psycho who treats women like garbage at the first sign of refusal and stalks them like a serial killer. He’s a guy who you hope dies alone, because it’s what he deserves. And…if you watch, you’ll know that’s not far off.
Gate of Hell isn’t on streaming, but you can watch it for free on Youtub
