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It’s just dance ?
I’m not going to lie, I probably wouldn’t have put this on my watch list if I hadn’t seen the trailer and thought it was going to be a BL.If you have a strong appreciation for dance, you’ll likely enjoy this film. But if, like me, you were hoping for more romance, this will be a huge letdown. Part of my frustration comes from the fact that I expected better overall quality from a Netflix BL than I usually expect from Thai BLs, especially in terms of storytelling and structure.
Don’t get me wrong, I love a good movie, BL or not. And to be fair, the cinematography was great, and the music was cool too, those were definite highlights. However, if I use the same standards I apply to other films, I’d still give this about three stars.
The story didn’t flow well and often felt in-cohesive. There was far more dancing than dialogue, which made it hard to follow the narrative. I also didn’t really understand what drew the two leads to each other; their connection felt underdeveloped and a bit one-sided. At times, it even felt like the more gloomy character was simply using the other.
On top of that, I was genuinely confused about the setting , were they supposed to be in Cuba or the UK? The location was never clear, which added to the overall sense of disconnection.
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Top Notch
The two male leads were phenomenal! Their chemistry was riveting. They both could speak not only with their bodies but with their eyes. From my understanding neither of them are professional dancers; they learned to dance for this movie. In my estimation they're both geniuses! The choreography was superb!This is sort of a slow burn romance with a masculine lack of verbal communication. I got the impression that the time frame of this movie wasn't 2025 but more around 1980's to 1990's. I could be misreading that, but there is a huge preoccupation with one of the male leads smoking continuously. Until recently that amount of smoking has been kind of frowned upon in movies. There was a somewhat easy acceptance of a male male relationship, but then a subtle sense of an awkwardness in pursuing an obvious relationship.
I don't know some of the cinematography seemed to indicate a time frame 20, 30, 40 years ago. At that time a gay couple would not have been readily accepted.
One male lead was rigidly controlled but you could feel the inferno under the surface of the skin that was clamoring to be released. The other male lead was extremely passionate and emotional and sexy as hell!
The dancing was magic!
This movie presented a different flavor to a BL. I would sort of consider it more of an LGBTQ movie than a BL. Overall the movie was entrancing and I am certain to watch it several more times.
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"Deep is the dark"
A vigilante mad dog is roped into becoming an undercover agent. In the powerful and ruthless world of the yakuza he teams up with another mad dog teetering on the brink of sanity to become members of the feared Hell Dogs.Kanetaka Shogo aka Idezuki Goro was a young cop on the beat when several people were murdered in a robbery. When justice is not served Goro spends 10 years hunting down the perpetrators and executing them. After the last one he turns himself in and is quickly recruited to become an undercover agent as a yakuza in a notoriously dangerous and powerful gang. He takes the name Kanetaka “Tak” Shogo and teams up with the unstable Muro. The two make a name for themselves as assassins. Goro has to watch his back as he is continually tested all while he attempts to climb the ranks and move closer to the crime family’s boss.
This film was a familiar take on the tight rope UCs must balance. Goro was called upon to do heinous deeds to keep his cover with the end game of taking down the crime family. The money and adrenaline could be enticing, a real temptation when the police department proved itself to be scarcely better than the yakuza. There were of course, the double dealings and big “reveals” as the story progressed. Will any of them be shocking? Not particularly if you’ve watched many crime films. Despite the lack of innovation, Harada Masato pulled me into the world he created, no small feat when there were few characters to care about.
The acting was strong for the most part relying heavily on Okada Junichi’s massive screen presence despite being surrounded by much taller men. Goro’s personality was such that he was not intimidated by anyone. Being based on a book there were enough characters and plot elements that they could have made this into a short drama to expand on the different players. As it was, it ran a little long for a yakuza film.
For the most part, Hell Dogs balanced narrative with action with more of the former in case you are expecting non-stop thrills. The ending rushed through at breakneck (pun intended) speed dissolving much of the built-up tension. Yet I still enjoyed this film largely due to Okada’s performance and Goro’s ability to hammer, slice, and shoot his way to the top.
18 December 2025
Trigger warnings: There was lots of slicing and dicing, shooting, and other blood spattering activities. Sexual content.
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Speechless.
Everything about this production was beautifully captivating. There are simply not enough words I could physically type on this review to make what I have to say about this film be fully expressed. I struggle, even typing this out, to truly put my feelings into words. The story, the acting, the styling, the music, the cinematography, the visuals, anything and everything truly hit the mark. Nothing about this film lacked. Not one thing was out of place. Purely perfection. Honestly the first film I have rated a 10. Just everything was stunning and I can never stop saying that.Not one actor lacked the skills or ability to portray their character. Every actor knew the assignment. Studied everything to a tea. No one stood out or performed poorly. Biggest props to them for training so hard for this film. I did not hate any character, nor did I feel like one was a villain in this story.
Now, the chemistry. You have to be blind not to see and appreciate the chemistry between the two leads. The tension was there, the emotions were there, the love and heartbreak were there. They made me think they were in love, and they were. The passion on the ballroom floor was perfectly mirrored every time they were on screen together. The actors were stunning together, and I would love to see them work together again. Maybe for a sequel or something completely new. No actors have moved me like this EVER. They were fantastic.
The women were simply beautiful and stunning. The way they supported their male counterparts but also develop a sense of friendship along the way was refreshing. I adored them and their stunning wardrobe. They had their own storylines and feelings that were also seen in the film and didn't have to rely on their dance partners. The friendship between them and their male partners was something entirely new. No romantic feelings, just love and understanding of a dance genre that makes them express themselves in the rawest way. It was a treat to see all the relationships between the characters.
The MUSIC was not something I thought I would love as much as I do, but I do. Every song fit the scene and was a hit. It was so good and enjoyable to hear. Definitely something I would listen to on my own time. It was fantastic.
The styling was also something I loved. Every piece of styling fit the character wearing it. Sugiki is a perfectionist. His hair is neat; he wears a classic suit, he is polished to perfection, nothing is out of place. While Suzuki's hair is messy, it's bleached, he wears opened chest tops and has a more laid-back look. It fits their characters perfectly. The women also had stunning and flattering dresses that were just jaw dropping.
Many say the ending is opened and felt unsatisfied. They felt the story was abruptly ended but it sets itself up for a sequel. I found the ending pleasing. It not something that felt rushed or anything to that nature. An ending that fits good for the story. I can't say that I agree with feeling abandoned.
Overall, this film is perfect and it's my number one of the year. Worth the watch and will leave you wanted more.
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"the scarf and the wings, you and the future, I want them all"
Beautiful, sad and awfully real from start to end. The story and connection between the two main characters were so thought-provoking. So many feelings and emotions packed in two of the best hours I've spent in a while. So many meanings to love, friendship, family and how experiences and life make them so different for everyone. It was a clear picture of societal expectations and how they differ for both boys and girls, but with two very clear examples in which neither was really happy or free. It also highlights how social class and gender expectations are still such a difficult but ever-present topic in society to this day.The lead actors' chemistry was unbelievable, they had me grinning, heartbroken and hopeful all in the span of two hours. I loved how even as teens, they both had this maturity and at the same time innocence to them, in which we could see the kindness behind the mischief of the ML and the hopefulness behind the sadness of the FL. I loved their friendship and the quiet love they shared before life got in the way. The ending was so beautiful, and that epilogue scene was everything. The cinematography and direction were carefully thought through as well, at no point did the time-jumps between the present and the past timelines feel out of place. I loved how the two timelines were spaced out throughout the movie. Really made the story more engrossing. Some of the panoramic scenes were so stunning, I loved how the director and cinematographer focused on capturing the essence and beauty of the cities where the movie was shot.
I really love it when movies deal with real issues and actually make a beautiful but at the same time realistic love story like this. Makes me believe love like this really exists out there.
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PEAK!!!
10Dance is an amazing film, and the hype for it has been crazy, which I am always glad to see, but... I feel as if we should have had a bit more romance. From the reviews I have read, many people have said the same thing about expecting a much sexier, steamier film that incorporates love and passion through the dancing from what the trailers had shown us. Honestly, as someone who read the manga first, I was a little disappointed to see that there were little to no kisses while watching this. Of course, I'm not trying to say that it completely diminishes the story as a whole, but there's a lot more that could have been done when it comes to the romance, in my opinion. Otherwise, this movie, from its cinematography, acting, sets, and music, is perfect. I am a Machida Keita STAN, and I was so happy to see him cast in this movie alongside Takeuchi Ryoma, whom I had only recently first heard of from watching the drama "Then You Try Making It!" My final thought is that I hope they plan to give us a sequel in the near future, whether it's another movie or a series, and I will be obsessing over this for the next three months, lol.Was this review helpful to you?
All dance lacking dialogue and story
A lot of work has gone into this,the dancing is superb and highly choreographed showing the training leading up to the big event.There is chemistry between the leads however there is very minimal dialogue and quite a flat story. The dance elements are the main focus. It is a stretch to call this a romance as those elements seem quite disjointed from the choreography. There are only a couple of decent conversations between the leads and the rest is dance with some backstory.
If you came here for the BL elements you will be disappointed, if you came for the dance then you will love this.
If the focus was more on the relationship development and romance then this would have been perfect. It's a shame some areas are just hollow.
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Two sides of the same obsession
Poise VS PassionSuguki must be in control of every aspect of his partner. Suzuki lives for the unbridled joy of dancing.
At first meeting, they clash together in a discordant mess of melody until they learn the tempo of each other and create a symphony beyond what either could achieve alone.
Tense and sensual, heart-racing and breath-taking.
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This was definitely a welcome surprise
I've never written a review before but this movie made me want to do it. I felt like I needed to express how I felt about it.I'm not new to one of the actors, obviously I've seen him in Cherry Magic, but I went into this movie thinking it would be a sexy tale about male dancers and then discovered he was in it. Yet it was not that. I mean it was erotic, but not explicit in any way. The movie is all about tension, about the drive that each of the characters has to dance. One loves to compete, the other loves to dance... one is rigid but caring, the other is carefree but selfish... it's all about how the two leads compliment each other.
Don't go into this expecting your usual bl, the production and dedication given to this movie go far beyond that. Truthfully speaking it didn't feel like bl, it wasn't about this two men's love story, but about their love for dancing and how they found in each other the drive to keep going. Is it a love story? Yes, to some extent, the tension is there and you expect them to act on their feelings. But the entire time I wanted them to enjoy dancing on all those stages, I wanted to see them thrive while dancing and that was what truly made me love the movie, seeing the leads evolve as people and as dancers.
I have only praise for this fantastic movie, from the music to the photography, the costume design, the production value, the sets, and especially the acting and chemistry. Everything was top notch. The dance sequences were never boring, it was pure spectacle, so I have nothing but praise for it.
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Love and passion through dance and music
I will share this review from the perspective of a former professional dancer and dance instructor, with no spoilers included.With a 40-year dance career behind me, I have experienced many things, gone through numerous challenges, and sought to understand a completely different world. Being part of the dance community and growing up in that environment requires immense dedication. Excelling as a dancer isn’t solely about technique. When I was competing, all dance instructors emphasized proper form if you wanted to be number one. However, from a young age, I realized that only about 10% of success is talent—the remaining 90% is pure passion. Watching this film took me back to those times when I was searching for myself on the dance floor. I always felt something was missing—a small spark that would give meaning to the dance and make the purpose of being there truly special.
It’s an incredible movie, and my kudos go to the choreographer. A special applause also to the cast, who learned very challenging routines and performed with the professionalism of seasoned dancers. I’m especially pleased to see a Japanese production, knowing how many talented Japanese dancers are out there but often lack opportunities to showcase their abilities on the international stage.
Additionally, same-sex dancing is very popular in Europe, with many competitions featuring "regular" categories. I’ve tried it myself, and it was an amazing experience. As part of the LGBTQ+ community, I can say that men understand what pleases men—and that authenticity truly shines through.
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Yes, please!
I am so utterly satisfied with this movie, i’m genuinely in awe still even after finishing it.I’ve been excited for it since I saw the movie’s trailer… And my god, the movie was worth the wait.
The dancing, the chemistry, the acting, the outfits, everything! I thought it might turn out to be boring since it was about professional dancing, but my god I was proven wrong!! Every dancing sequence or scene was utterly mesmerising. It felt like I was hypnotised- to the point where I wanted to get up myself and start dancing.
The chemistry between the two main actors was butterfly-inducing. Their chemistry is definitely there and you could sense the tension, longing, yearning, acceptance, defeat, realisation all at once. It wasn’t explicit, yet it also wasn’t shy. Their love story grew subtly yet visibly, their fondness of each other was vivid and wonderful to witness.
The last few moments of the movie had me worried it might end up being sad but I was happily proved wrong. It was wonderful to watch their story unfold, even though I’m the type who usually enjoys more intimate scenes when it comes to movies like these, I can say that I was satisfied with what I was given. Once again, the chemistry was definitely there. I enjoyed every moment of this movie.
A really good watch!
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Seemingly simple but touches on a lot of topics
I watched this movie a few times over the years. At the heart of this movie are our two leads play by Narita Ryo and Kiyohara Kaya. They are perfectly cast with quick banter and fun conversations. Ryo's character, Yasuomi is a robotic-like cram school teacher, and Kaya's character is his student, Kasumi. While this does have a teacher and student trope, it's a lot more than just that. Both are characters that personally feel "not normal". Yasuomi is a boring smart man who can't seem to date normally. Kasumi wants to stick to her gossip filled girl group but thinks they are quite fake, and would rather look at a future thinking, tech company CEO who she believes is bringing us to a better future.The dynamic relationship built between the characters and how things develop is done very well. The mix of old vs new school, female vs male views, adult vs teen, straight/stoic vs dynamic, experience vs inexperience, and probably more that I can't think of are all shown. I really enjoyed the acts as we progress through the story, and there is a fair bit of comedy in each section. The synopsis does say how Kasumi helps Yasuomi to be normal (with women), and this is absolutely what makes this movie a gem. To boot, it's filmed very well with some long cuts with tons of realistic and fun banter.
Personally, this made me a huge fan of Kiyohara Kaya and is still memorable to this day.
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1The movie that opened a new field of BL-science
Yes, we now have to study dance power-dynamics and dance-move innuendos to fully appreciate BL and that's fine.BL has always been a field that thrives on hidden context (See: Untamed) and I think this movie has a lot to find in it for those willing to learn.
Where the story may sometimes skip some beats words-wise, the dance shown is basically its own language that that gives important clues on where the relationship is. In this movie, dance-language is stronger than words.
The actors are phenomenal and show off in ways rarely ever seen before in Japanese BL history. The sets and cinematography are gorgeous. Nobody could imagine this is where we would be at in 2025 when 2020 Machida Keita entered the JBL scene but here we are. I'd love to see a sequel of our grim reaper & angel dance duo.
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Please tell me that there's more!!!
I had been waiting for this one for more or less a year, and I did plan to read the manga but kept putting it off and I am so happy I did because I got to enjoy this completely unbiased and without any knowledge of the story.I was blown away by how good the story is, the gorgeous imagery, the choreography and how sexy, steamy hot it was without being explicitly sexual. The way Suzuki sways his hips is so sexy and then Sugiki with his elegant sharp moves, both men experts in their dance styles come together and become literal fire, I was glued to the screen immersed so intensely in the story that I didn't even realize that 2 whole hours passed, I need more, now!! 😭😭😭😭
Also Suzuki speaking spanish, wow so freaking hot, I don't know if it was dubbed or the actor actually spoke the lines, but his pronunciation is nearly perfect and the tone of this voice... I'll stop here, go watch this movie if you haven't, it is fantastic!!!
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2 Hot Men, 10 Dance: A Work of Art
What I felt while watching this movie, I can’t explain it with words, but let me try.This film is driven by music, movement, and intense emotion. And I felt every bit of it, every single bit of it.
The dancing is both sensual and powerful, not just because of the skill involved, but because of what it represents. They move through many styles; classic professional dances and then Latin dances filled with passion and intensity. And the actors nailed the performance. God, those men!!!!
At the center of this story are two men slowly falling in love. And this love is what will eventually give meaning to the dancing; it’s what turns technique into expression. We’re not just watching them dance, we feel their desire, vulnerability, and longing through every step.
By the end, the film leaves you inspired. It makes you feel like you could dance too, even if you never have before.
It’s emotional, beautifully crafted, and simply a very very good watch.
Can’t wait for the second season! 10/10 for this one!
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