THE DAYS on Netflix is a new mini-series from Japan. Over eight episodes, we witness the Fukushima nuclear disaster unfold. Just like Chernobyl, this is based on real events. Read our The Days mini-series review here!

THE DAYS is a new Netflix mini-series from Japan. The genres are thriller, drama, and history. That last genre is due to this being based on the real events of the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant disaster.

Much like Chornobyl, this is a tough watch, but also one that focuses on facts. Also, equally important, we get the story from more sides and experience the tragedy from various characters. There are eight hour-long episodes in the series and this review is based on the first two episodes.

Continue reading our The Days mini-series review below. Find it on Netflix from June 1, 2023.

Seven days of nuclear disaster

The new Netflix series plays out over a 7-day period. We get to witness the nuclear disaster at the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant from three different viewpoints.

The three viewpoints come from government officials, Tokyo Electric Power Company employees, and employees at Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant.

Having so many characters to relate to might seem like a lot, but it actually works really well. If one had been left out, it would be a very amputated version of the events. Watching people trying to react and respond with very little information at first, is so scary when we know the outcome.

Just as was the case with the amazing HBO series Chernobyl, we know how it all ends. Watching it from the perspective of the people involved is brutal and scary. Seeing the faces of those working at the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant is pure and very real horror.

The Days (2023) – Review | Netflix Series

One disaster on top of another

The disaster began when the Nuclear Power Plant experienced an extreme crisis caused by the Tohoku earthquake and tsunami. This happened on March 11, 2011.

Having both the nuclear disaster and the tsunami (on top of an already brutal earthquake) is a lot, but it happened, so that’s what we get to experience. All are part of what ultimately became the Fukushima nuclear disaster.

Obviously, the tsunami element – which is shown efficiently with CGI that does work well – reminded me of J.A. Bayona’s The Impossible (2012). That movie dealt with the destruction and chaotic aftermath of the 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami.

In The Days, the earthquake is one disaster, the tsunami is yet another disaster which then becomes the thing that creates the ultimate disaster; A nuclear disaster!

Watch The Days mini-series on Netflix now!

Many horror fans should immediately be intrigued by the fact that Hideo Nakata is one of the directors of this limited series. He is one of the horror masters of Japan. Iconic J-horror movies such as The Ring and Dark Water come from him. Both have been remade in the US.

MORE FROM HIDEO NAKATA

I prefer The Days mini-series to his more recent movie Sadako which I did not enjoy >

The Netflix mini-series is based on the book by Ryûshô Kadota, which is based on the real events of the Fukushima nuclear disaster.

The Days is the kind of series that I could easily binge-watch. However, I feel like it’s almost too brutal. An actual recipe for getting both anxiety and depression. After all, we can’t avoid disasters, but we can work on how we react.

So, the only positive thing from any disaster, is that we learn something each time. At least, I really hope so. We cannot control nature, which means earthquakes and tsunamis will happen. As will other weather challenges and pandemics. We need to learn how to best deal with these things.

The Days is on Netflix from June 1, 2023.

Details

Directors: Hideo Nakata, Masaki Nishiura
Screenwriter: Jun Masumoto. Book: Ryûshô Kadota
Stars: Kôji Yakusho, Yutaka Takenouchi, Fumiyo Kohinata, Kaoru Kobayashi, Oji Suzuka, Takuma Otoo, Ken Mitsuishi, Kenichi Endo, Yuriko Ishida

Plot

Blamed by some, hailed as heroes by others, those involved with Fukushima Daiichi face a deadly, invisible threat — an unprecedented nuclear disaster.

I write reviews and recaps on Heaven of Horror. And yes, it does happen that I find myself screaming, when watching a good horror movie. I love psychological horror, survival horror and kick-ass women. Also, I have a huge soft spot for a good horror-comedy. Oh yeah, and I absolutely HATE when animals are harmed in movies, so I will immediately think less of any movie, where animals are harmed for entertainment (even if the animals are just really good actors). Fortunately, horror doesn't use this nearly as much as comedy. And people assume horror lovers are the messed up ones. Go figure!
Karina "ScreamQueen" Adelgaard
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