Suspect X

I rarely watch movies especially onboard a flight. Most of the time, I fall asleep even before flight take off or when plane is on the runway. However, on my flight back from Tokyo recently, I had a peep at the movie my friend was watching when the stewardess woke me up for meal.

I found the plot of “Suspect X” intriguing and intricate. It presents the equation question and answer upfront while taking time in divulging the process that happens in a philosophical explanation of a simple murder made complicated. In mathematic equation questions, one is often required to solve x or when the answer for x is given, one would be required to explain the steps in solving the equation. The answer was simple and yet when one approaches the question with a certain viewpoint; it would be hard to figure it out. It definitely tests one’s astuteness that unsolvable questions need to be looked at from a different non conventional perspective. The vigor of “Suspect X” lies in the intellectual one-upmanship between the genius Mathematician Tetsuya Ishigami and the brilliant Physicist, Manabu Yukawa while unrevealing the “why” and “how” of the murder. It marks the beginning of an antagonistic battle of wills between the two very intelligent men to outwit one another.


This movie also underlines the issue of social isolation that is so common in Japan. This seclusion often leads one to commit suicide as a way out of their misery. In order to understand why the Japanese are often seem as reserved and untrusting, it has to go back to the root of 2nd world war. Their ambiguity towards life is the aftermath effect of the atrocity and cruelty as aggressor of the war. Isolation in itself is a very painful and stressful in and of itself. It produces physiological changes, which if prolonged, can produce serious morbidity or mortality and even highly brilliant person cannot escape its grasp as in the case of Ishigami.

Beside the crime solving, it also attempted to present an equation on love and the perplexed question of whether the mystery of love could be solved. One must have the ability to notice the fundamental meanings of unconventional love. For those who are able to read between the lines, they would be able to see a touching presentation of unrequited and altruistic love.
It is a lovely blend of murder mystery and the mysteries and concept of love.