Hideo Kojima wants to die in a movie theater
For filmmaker Hideo Kojima, the ultimate cinematic experience isn’t found in the cozy comfort of a home viewing setup; it’s found in the velvet seats of the movie theater. The celebrated creator confessed that if he were to pass away, he would insist on experiencing the final moments while watching a film. For him, the perfect passage is not during the action, but in that blissful preamble: the dimming lights, the playful roll of commercials and trailers, and that fleeting moment just before the main feature begins.
This peculiar preference makes perfect sense when considering Kojima’s deep appreciation for cinema. As a certified film buff who has built an empire on video games, he also possesses a keen eye for film criticism. His tastes reveal a delightful mix of intellectual analysis and genuine emotional engagement with the stories he consumes.
That critical sensibility is perhaps best illustrated by his famously concise reviews. When asked about the critically acclaimed movie Madame Web, Kojima delivered a review so short it felt like a declaration: “Saw Madame Web at the theater.” This brevity perfectly encapsulates his focus—the experience of seeing the film in its proper setting rather than dissecting every minute detail.
Yet, this preference for observational viewing doesn’t mean Kojima is purely detached from cinematic emotion. When he engages with other media, his reactions are anything but reserved. He has shared that certain films manage to bypass intellectual critique and strike directly at the heart, prompting genuine feeling. For instance, he found himself moved to tears by Apple TV’s surprise horror hit, Widows, and even experienced deep emotion while watching KPop Demon Hunters.
Kojima’s admiration for visual storytelling extends across genres. He has also given high praise to recent sci-fi thrillers, particularly A Quiet Place: Day One. This appreciation for high-stakes narratives shows that whether he is analyzing a complex video game or a sweeping cinematic epic, Kojima remains deeply invested in the power of visual narrative and unforgettable storytelling.
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