Takashi Miike film ‘Sham’ explores true story of teacher accused of abuse

The film ‘Sham’, directed by Takashi Miike and written by Hayashi Mori, is scheduled for release on September 16, 2026. Based on the work of Masumi Fukuda, the psychological thriller is inspired by a true story from early 20th-century Japan.

The plot centers on Seiichi Yabushita, a respected teacher accused by a mother of harassing and physically abusing her son. The narrative explores the conflicting perspectives of the two main characters, presenting the story through the eyes of both the accuser and the accused to create a sense of doubt regarding the truth.

The film features a cast including Go Ayano, Ko Shibasaki, Kaoru Kobayashi, Fumino Kimura, and Kazuya Kamenashi. Critics highlight the film's ability to depict the societal impact of the case and the media frenzy that follows the accusations.