Death Note Synopsis & Review: Plot Summary

🎯 Quick Overview

😅 Plot Summary – Badly Explained

A gloomy teen finds a magical notebook that allows him to get rid of detention by offing the names inside, until a weird Sherlock Holmes starts asking questions and his cheerleader girlfriend gets too enthusiastic about murder.

🍿 Death Note: Detailed Plot Synopsis

Discovery of the Death Note

Light Turner, a high school student in Seattle, discovers a mysterious notebook called the Death Note. He learns that by writing someone’s name in the notebook while picturing their face, he can cause their death. Initially hesitant, Light is convinced by Ryuk, a Shinigami (death god) and the previous owner of the notebook, to use its power to rid the world of criminals.

Light’s Vigilante Crusade and the Rise of Kira

Light begins using the Death Note to kill criminals, attracting widespread attention. The public starts to call the mysterious killer ‘Kira,’ and some hail him as a hero. Light shares the secret of the Death Note with Mia Sutton, his classmate and girlfriend, and they both become increasingly consumed by their power and the moral implications of their actions. Mia is far more ruthless than Light, eager to use the Death Note without hesitation.

L Joins the Investigation

The mysterious deaths attract the attention of L, a brilliant and eccentric detective known for solving the most challenging cases. L begins investigating the Kira killings and quickly narrows down the suspect pool to Light. A cat-and-mouse game ensues between Light and L, with each trying to outsmart the other. L’s suspicions about Light grow stronger, putting Light under constant pressure to conceal his identity.

⚠️ Spoilers and Ending Explained

🎬 Cast & Characters

• Light Turner (Nat Wolff): A high school student who finds a Death Note and uses it to kill criminals, becoming known as Kira.
• L (LaKeith Stanfield): An enigmatic and brilliant detective who is determined to find and stop Kira.
• Mia Sutton (Margaret Qualley): Light’s girlfriend and accomplice, who becomes increasingly obsessed with the Death Note’s power.
• Ryuk (Willem Dafoe): A Shinigami who drops the Death Note into the human world for his own amusement.
• James Turner (Shea Whigham): Light’s father and a police officer investigating the Kira killings, creating conflict within the family.

💬 Memorable Quotes

• Ryuk: “Humans are so interesting.” – Ryuk often says this, fascinated by the choices Light makes with the Death Note.
• L: “You’re the one who flew into the sun, I’m just here to make sure you burn!” – L says this in a fit of rage toward Light after Wateri’s death.

💰Box Office

• Budget: $50,000,000
• Domestic Gross: N/A
• Worldwide Gross: N/A

💥 Death Note Reviews

Personal Review

I went into this movie hoping for a dark and suspenseful adaptation of one of my favorite anime. What I got was… something else. The plot felt rushed, and the characters were so different from the source material that I barely recognized them. I was really excited about Dafoe as Ryuk, but even he couldn’t save this movie for me. Overall, I wish they’d stuck closer to the original story.

• Who would enjoy:
  • “Fans of supernatural thrillers”
  • “Viewers interested in dark morality tales”
  • “Those new to the Death Note franchise looking for an entry point (with reservations)”
  • “Viewers who enjoy films directed by Adam Wingard”
• Content warnings ⚠:
  • “Graphic violence”
  • “Disturbing images”
  • “Teen suicide references”
  • “Mature themes (vigilantism, morality)”
  • “Language”

Professional Reviews

• Variety: “A competently made but ultimately hollow adaptation. ‘Death Note’ struggles to balance its dark themes with teen romance and horror elements, resulting in a tonally uneven experience.
• IGN: “Netflix’s ‘Death Note’ has moments of promise, but ultimately fails to capture the intelligence and suspense of the original anime. The characters feel underdeveloped, and the plot rushes forward without proper setup.
• The Hollywood Reporter: “While visually stylish, ‘Death Note’ sacrifices the complex cat-and-mouse game of the source material for cheap thrills and predictable plot twists, disappointing fans of the original.

Audience Reactions

Willem Dafoe’s performance as Ryuk was praised as being the perfect casting choice.: Viewers appreciated Dafoe’s voice acting and sinister portrayal of the Shinigami.

Some viewers found the fast-paced plot and edgy tone entertaining.: Many thought the film offered a fresh take on the Death Note story, though it deviates from the source material.

Overall Consensus: A divisive adaptation that failed to capture the essence of the original manga and anime, leaving many fans disappointed.

Awards

🛠️ Behind the Scenes

• “This film is a live-action adaptation of the popular Japanese manga series of the same name.”
• “Willem Dafoe, who voices Ryuk, was a fan of the original ‘Death Note’ manga and anime series before being cast in the film.”
• “Several directors were attached to the project before Adam Wingard took the helm, including Shane Black and Gus Van Sant.”
• “The film was shot in various locations around Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada, to emulate the setting of Seattle, Washington.”

🖥️ How to Watch Death Note?

Death Note (2017) is currently available to stream on Netflix for subscribers. If you don’t have a Netflix subscription, you can rent or purchase the movie from various digital platforms such as Prime Video, Apple TV, Google Play Movies, and Vudu. Check your local listings for availability.

🎥 Similar Movies

If you enjoyed Death Note, you might like these similar films:

• Seven (1995): Both films explore dark themes of morality and justice as detectives hunt a killer with a twisted sense of purpose.
• Code Geass (2006): Code Geass involves a high school student who gains a supernatural power and uses it to change the world, similar to Light’s ambitions.
• оюаг (2013): Like the anime, this film pits two intelligent young characters with different world views against one another in a thrilling battle of wits.
• The Machinist (2004): The Machinist explores themes of guilt, manipulation, and the crumbling of one’s own morality, similar to Death Note’s psychological elements.

🛒 Death Note Related Products

• Death Note Black Edition, Vol. 1: Experience Death Note in a stunning collector’s edition, featuring high-quality printing and cover art. A must-have for fans who want to own a piece of the Death Note universe in a premium format.
• Death Note (2006) [Blu-ray]: The original Japanese live-action Death Note movie that is far better than the American remake.
• Death Note: L Change the World (novel): Spin-off novel focusing on L’s adventures, following the events of Death Note. A unique standalone adventure that provides deeper insight into the enigmatic detective’s world.
• Death Note Ryuk Figure: A highly detailed Ryuk figurine that embodies the creepy and playful spirit of the Shinigami. This figure makes an excellent addition to any Death Note collection.

🎧 Soundtrack

Death Note features a captivating soundtrack that enhances the movie’s atmosphere and emotional impact. Here are some notable tracks:

• “Reckless (Don’t Be So…)” – performed by Australian Crawl

You can find the complete soundtrack on Amazon Music and Apple Music.

🤨 FAQ

🔥 Bonus Content

Death Note Movie Review

Hey there, fellow movie enthusiasts! If you’ve seen the Death Note movie and want to hear a unique take on it, check out this review by PewDiePie. He gives his honest thoughts on the film, so you can decide for yourself if it’s worth your time.

The ORIGINAL story of Death Note???

Ever wondered about the origins of the Death Note story? This video dives into the original source material, shedding light on the inspiration behind the movie. It’s a must-watch for fans who want to delve deeper into the world of Death Note.

Anime Theory: Live Action Done RIGHT! (Death Note Theory)

Calling all Death Note fans! This video explores why the Japanese live-action film is considered superior to the Netflix adaptation. The analysis is spot-on, and it’ll definitely spark some interesting discussions among fans.

How Netflix Ruined Death Note – Anime vs. Film

Curious about the differences between the Netflix Death Note movie and the anime? This video breaks it down, highlighting the key similarities and departures. Whether you’re a fan of the original or the adaptation, you’ll find this comparison thought-provoking.

✨ Rate