# Onibaba (1964)

Onibaba, also titled The Hole, is a Japanese horror film directed by Kaneto Shindo that explores themes of love, betrayal, and the primal instincts of survival in a war-torn setting. Set in 14th-century Japan during a civil war, the story follows two women, a mother and her daughter-in-law, who live in a secluded area near a marsh. They survive by killing passing soldiers and robbing them of their belongings. The plot thickens when a soldier named Hachi arrives, revealing that he knows the son of the older woman. He expresses a longing for a romantic relationship with the daughter-in-law, who struggles with her emotions and circumstances. As Hachi and the daughter-in-law grow closer, the mother-in-law becomes increasingly jealous and protective. Things take a dark turn when the mother discovers the budding relationship. In her rage, she dons a demon mask that she had previously used to frighten foes and ultimately manipulates circumstances leading to betrayal and death, illustrating the depths of human fear and jealousy.The film culminates in a haunting conclusion that leaves the viewer with lingering questions about the nature of humanity and the consequences of primal instincts.

- Kind: Feature
- Year: 1964
- By: Kaneto Shindo
- Genres: Horror, Science fiction, War
- Archive: [Internet Archive](https://archive.org/details/onibaba.-1964_202511)
- Licence or status: [CC BY-NC-ND 4.0](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/) (as the archive states it)
- Who can watch: Teens profiles and older (the archive gives no rating; placed by Invisible Network from its collection and subjects)

[Watch now](https://invisiblenetwork.ai/watch/archive/ia/onibaba.-1964_202511?play=1)