Neon has secured the North American distribution rights to the heart-pounding thriller "Exit 8," helmed by esteemed Japanese director Genki Kawamura. This cinematic adaptation of the 2023 indie video game by Kotake Create, which had its debut at the prestigious Cannes Film Festival and is en route to the Toronto Film Festival, promises an immersive journey into a labyrinthine Japanese subway system.
Neon is gearing up for an artistic theatrical release in early 2026, showcasing a stellar cast including Kazunari Ninomiya, Yamato Kochi, Naru Asanuma, Kotone Hanase, and Nana Komatsu. "Exit 8" made its splash in Cannes' Midnight section and is set to captivate North American audiences as part of the Centerpiece section at the Toronto Film Festival. Kawamura, who co-wrote the screenplay with Kentaro Hirase, masterfully directs this gripping tale.
According to the producers, the narrative unfolds like this: "A man finds himself ensnared in an endless, sterile subway tunnel, relentless in his pursuit of Exit 8. The rules of his quest are straightforward yet ominous: never overlook the ordinary. Should you encounter an anomaly, retreat immediately. Otherwise, press on. Reach Exit 8 and depart. Yet, one slight oversight will reset his journey to square one. Will he ever attain his objective and escape this infinite maze?"
Kawamura's directorial prowess was previously recognized with the Best Director award at the San Sebastian Film Festival for his debut feature "A Hundred Flowers." At Cannes this year, Neon also celebrated victories with Jafar Panahi's Palme d'Or-winning "It Was Just an Accident" and acquired Oliver Laxe's Jury Prize-winner "Sirât." Additionally, they scooped up "The Secret Agent" from Kleber Mendonça Filho and the animated adventure "Arco," produced by Natalie Portman and directed by Ugo Bienvenu.
Sarah Colvin, Neon's Vice President of Acquisitions, brokered the distribution deal with CAA Media Finance, Goodfellas, TOHO, and Story, who represented the filmmaking team with consummate professionalism.
