ReviewCaution, Hazardous Wife movie review: Haruka Ayase shines in spy thriller that often forgets what it is
- Haruka Ayase plays a former government assassin with amnesia in this spin-off from the hit TV series
- A lot of the movie revolves around her ordinary suburban life, before the violent showdown reminds us this is a spy thriller
2.5/5 stars
Following the success of Nippon TV’s hit 2017 television series, Caution, Hazardous Wife spins off into a full-blown feature film, with star Haruka Ayase reprising her role as Nami, a former government assassin struggling to leave her violent past behind and enjoy a quiet suburban life with husband Yuki (Hidetoshi Nishijima).
The show ended with the shocking revelation that Yuki was not a mild-mannered businessman, but a Public Security Bureau agent assigned to surveil his potentially deadly bride. But as Toya Sato’s big screen adventure begins, an attempt is made on Nami’s life that leaves her with amnesia, presenting Yuki and the PSB a clean slate to contain their wayward asset.
While the marketing suggests an action thriller of feuding married agents reminiscent of the Brad Pitt/Angelina Jolie vehicle Mr. & Mrs. Smith, Caution, Hazardous Wife is closer to Shane Black’s The Long Kiss Goodnight, in which Geena Davis plays a trained killer who has lost her memory and settled down.
What sets this film apart is that those close to Nami know her secret, and are actively trying to prevent her from remembering her past. Inevitably, violent memories plague Nami’s dreams and it is only a matter of time before the truth comes out.