Room Laundering (2018)

Name: Room Laundering
Director: Kenji Katagiri
Genre: Drama
Released: 2018-07-07
Duration: 108 min
Cast: Elaiza Ikeda, Joe Odagiri, Kiyohiko Shibukawa, Kentaro Ito, Miho Tsumiki

20181h 48mDrama

Yakumo Miko's father died when she was 5 years old. The next year, Miko mother went missing. Miko then moved in with her grandmother, but, at the age of 18, Miko's grandmother passes away. She shuts herself away from others. One day, her uncle from her mother's side, Ikazuzi Goro appears. He sets up a place for Miko to live and also a place for her to do part-time work. Her part-time job is "room laundering." After starting her job, Miko sees ghosts. She struggles to solve the worries of the ghosts who are staying in rooms. Ikazuzi Goro tells Miko that her mother was able to see ghosts which affected her. Miko asks him to find her mother.

Explained

What people think about Room Laundering

Room Laundering is special because it treats the supernatural not as a gimmick, but as a quiet language for grief, loneliness, and the messy business of moving on. Kenji Katagiri gives the film a gentle, offbeat vibe—part melancholy slice-of-life, part ghost story—where each “cleaned” room feels like a small human mystery, and Elaiza Ikeda anchors it with a performance that’s tender without begging for tears. Joe Odagiri brings a wry warmth as the uncle who’s equal parts guardian and question mark, nudging the story forward with humor that never undercuts its heart. If you’re expecting big scares or fast twists, this isn’t that kind of ride, but if you want a thoughtful drama with an eerie hush and a surprisingly comforting pulse, it’s an easy film to fall into.

Your prediction

Which side will you be on?

Amaree predicts your rating and your likely reactions to Room Laundering, then explains why, before you press play.

Free to download. Predictions for 10,000+ movies.