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Japanese Thriller 'The Invisible Half' Acquired for Global Release
12 Nov, 2025
Summary
- Los Angeles-based EST N8 acquires international sales rights for 'The Invisible Half'
- Film follows a mixed-race Japanese high school girl fighting supernatural forces
- Directed by Masaki Nishiyama, with VFX by Cao Moji and cinematography by Shuhei Yamamoto
On November 12th, 2025, it was announced that the Los Angeles-based sales, production and finance company EST N8 has acquired the international sales rights for the Japanese thriller 'The Invisible Half'. The film, which had its world premiere at the Raindance Film Festival last month, is the debut feature from writer-director Masaki Nishiyama.
'The Invisible Half' follows Elena, a mixed-race ("half") Japanese high school girl who has just moved to a rural town. As she begins to sense that she is being watched by both the locals and a monstrous presence that can only be seen through her smartphone screen and heard through her earphones, Elena's struggle to belong transforms into a fight for survival. The film stars Lisa Siera, Miyu Okuno, and Runa Hirasawa, with VFX designed by Cao Moji (Godzilla Minus One) and cinematography by Shuhei Yamamoto (Rohan au Louvre).
In addition to 'The Invisible Half', EST N8's sales titles include the suspense drama 'Dear Stranger', horror films 'The Hole' and 'Pabrik Gula', as well as the Korean action film 'Mash Ville'. "The Invisible Half is a bold and deeply personal vision that blends social realism with supernatural terror," said Sophie Shi, head of EST N8 Studios. "Nishiyama's voice as a first-time filmmaker represents the future of Japanese horror on the global stage."
