Constantine | Is it worth watching on U-NEXT?
Conclusion: Watch it.
A dark fantasy that shines with a unique worldview set between heaven and hell.
Basic Information
◆ Title: Constantine
◆ Release Year: 2005 (Japan release: April 16, 2005)
◆ Runtime: 121 minutes
◆ Director: Francis Lawrence
◆ Streaming: U-NEXT / Netflix (Both currently available for unlimited viewing)
(*Streaming availability is subject to change)
◆ Genre: Fantasy/Action
◆ Rating: Eirin rating not confirmed (16+ on Netflix's own rating system)
Spare Time Index
⏱ Time Performance: ★★★☆☆
📱 Smartphone Suitability: ★★★☆☆
💤 Passive Viewing Suitability: ★★☆☆☆
💰 Value for Monthly Fee: ★★★★☆
⚡ Initial Hook Intensity: ★★★★☆
What is it about?
A man whose path to heaven is closed due to a past suicide attempt aims to redeem his soul through exorcism.
Together with a female detective who lost her twin sister, he pursues the truth behind the crumbling balance between heaven and hell.
A dark fantasy starring Keanu Reeves, based on the DC comic 'Hellblazer'.
Movie Review
✂️ If it's not interesting in 15 minutes, stop watching
From the opening exorcism scene, the unique worldview and art style are presented all at once.
Whether or not you can get on board with this film's specific visuals is the turning point.
Passive viewing verdict: △ You can't afford to miss the exorcism rituals and religious settings
Because there are many explanations of Christian terminology and settings, if you listen passively, your understanding of the world will be weak.
The rules of the story itself are packed into the dialogue.
Enjoyable in both dubbed and subtitled versions
A film where Keanu Reeves' deadpan delivery is impressive.
If you want to watch at a good tempo, the dubbed version is recommended; if you want to savor the nuances of the original language, subtitles are recommended.
It's not that you can understand everything just from the visuals
The depictions of demons and angels can be enjoyed through the visuals alone.
On the other hand, the theme of the balance between heaven and hell relies heavily on dialogue explanations.
It's not a stage-clear structure, but the segments are easy to understand
The structure progresses through major milestones: 'Beginning,' 'Investigation,' and 'Resolution'.
It's a straightforward story, so it's hard to get lost.
Screen brightness
The overall tone is unified in a darker shade.
You'll want to turn up the brightness when watching on a smartphone.
When is the best time to watch?
It is perfect for a Friday night when you want to fully immerse yourself in a dark fantasy world.
This scene is great!
🎬 The opening exorcism
An impressive introductory scene where Constantine efficiently exorcises a demon possessing a young girl.
The gap between his nonchalant attitude and the abnormality of the situation is conveyed powerfully.
🎬 Constantine meets Angela
The scene where Angela, who is investigating the truth behind her twin sister's suicide, makes contact with Constantine.
A quiet and memorable introduction that hints at their future relationship.
Who it is for / Who it is not for
✅ People who like dark fantasy worlds
✅ People who want to see Keanu Reeves' cool, stoic performance
✅ People who like stories that use Christian motifs
✅ People who like movies with a unique visual sense
❌ People who are concerned about differences from the original comic
❌ People who are not good with blood or violence (contains grotesque religious and demonic imagery)
❌ People looking for a fast-paced story
Summary in one word
A dark fantasy that shines with a unique worldview set between heaven and hell.
Keanu Reeves' stoic performance and the art and visuals of the exorcisms have not faded even today.
With rumors of a sequel circulating, I want you to start by immersing yourself in this world with this film.
If you are subscribed to either U-NEXT or Netflix, you can watch it at no extra cost.
If you are not yet a member, start with a free trial.
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*Streaming availability is subject to change. Please check before watching.
The content below contains spoilers.
This content is for those who have already watched it or want to dig deeper.
Character Relationship Chart
【主人公】
ジョン・コンスタンティン → 悪魔祓いで天国行きを目指すエクソシスト
└── チャス → コンスタンティンを慕う運転手見習い
【協力者】
アンジェラ・ドッドソン → 双子の姉の死の真相を追う女刑事
【天使・悪魔】
ガブリエル → 中立的な立場を装う大天使
バルタザール → 地獄側のハーフ・ブリード、暗躍する存在
ルシファー → 地獄の王、物語終盤に姿を現すCharacter Guide
John Constantine (Played by: Keanu Reeves)
An exorcist who has the power to distinguish between demons and angels hiding in the human world.
He once took his own life and was brought back, so he is barred from entering heaven.
While suffering from terminal lung cancer, he tries to save his own soul through exorcism.
Angela Dodson (Played by: Rachel Weisz)
A female detective investigating the truth behind the death of her twin sister, Isabel, who committed suicide.
Initially a realist who does not believe in supernatural beings, she changes her perspective through her involvement with Constantine.
Balthazar (played by Gavin Rossdale)
A half-breed from the side of Hell.
He has a history with Constantine and works behind the scenes to disrupt the balance between Heaven and Hell.
Lucifer (played by Peter Stormare)
The king who rules over Hell itself.
He appears in person toward the end of the story when the situation reaches a critical turning point.
Gabriel (played by Tilda Swinton)
An archangel who pretends to be neutral.
A character who interacts with humans and Constantine with their own hidden agenda.
Chas (played by Shia LaBeouf)
A young man who serves as Constantine's driver.
He harbors a longing to become an exorcist himself one day.
Illustrated Guide to Featured Items
1. Holy Shotgun
A consecrated shotgun shaped like a crucifix.
It has become an iconic weapon that Constantine uses at exorcism sites.
2. Spear of Destiny
A legendary relic said to have pierced the side of Christ.
It appears as an item of great importance that is central to the core of the story.
Also famously known as the "Spear of Longinus."
3. Cigarettes
A symbol of the habitual smoking that Constantine cannot let go of.
The fact that he continues to smoke despite suffering from terminal lung cancer speaks to his character.
Movie Setting
Angel and Demon "Half-Breeds"
A setting where angels and demons have appearances indistinguishable from humans and interfere in the human world indirectly.
The power dynamics between the three worlds of Heaven, the human world, and Hell form the axis of the entire story.
The rule of the balance between Heaven and Hell
The premise is that angels and demons are forbidden from directly interfering in the human world, and they exist to maintain a balance.
The fact that this balance is beginning to collapse is the starting point of the story.
Behind-the-scenes and trivia
The original character was set to be a blonde Englishman
In the original DC comic 'Hellblazer,' the protagonist was set to be a blonde Englishman.
In the film version, this was changed to an American played by Keanu Reeves, which reportedly sparked debate among fans of the original work.
Director Francis Lawrence's feature film debut
For Francis Lawrence, who came from a music video background, this film served as his debut as a feature film director.
Since then, he has worked on hit films such as 'I Am Legend' and 'The Hunger Games' series.
The rating wavered between PG-13 and R
The director himself mentioned in an interview at the time of release that he struggled with the rating being 'between PG-13 and R'.
Ultimately, it was released in the United States with an R rating.
Global box office revenue was approximately $230 million
While the production budget is said to be around $100 million, the global box office revenue reached approximately $230 million.
There is a follow-up scene after the end credits
Unusual for an American film at the time, a scene indicating a continuation of the story is inserted after the end credits.
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