Paprika Review
To what extent should science be limited to preserve what we hold sacred? Is it morally acceptable to manipulate the realm of dreams through technology? And if we avoid these questions, what might the consequences be? Satoshi Kon’s Paprika presents a breathtaking exploration of these dilemmas, offering both a philosophical inquiry and a visual masterpiece.
The story centres on a small team within a larger psychiatric company that develops a groundbreaking device capable of entering other people’s dreams. Designed to revolutionize psychiatric treatment, the device shows promising results in its early stages. Within this dream realm, a figure named Paprika acts as a guide for patients. But Paprika isn’t just any entity. She’s a sentient manifestation of a part of one researcher’s psyche, existing independently in the dream world.
Paprika, the character, is used as a spokesperson for the device’s use outside clinical settings. The film opens with an example of this unconventional use, setting the stage for a gripping plot. The inciting incident occurs when it is discovered that one of these dream devices is stolen when it is used to make a high-ranking researcher suddenly descend into the madness of a dream and he jumps out of a window (he survives, thankfully). What follows is a tense search to stop the thief, who uses the device to blur the lines between dreams and reality in an effort to lead people to harm themselves.
I’ve owned this film for six years, and I only just watched it. I wish I’d done so much sooner. Beyond the captivating plot, Paprika dives deep into existential and philosophical questions about science’s role in the world and where its progress should be constrained. Its Jungian themes are profound and thought-provoking, making it more than just a visually stunning experience, it's an intellectual one too.
But it’s not just the narrative that shines, the animation is utterly mind-blowing. The film’s psychedelic visuals perfectly capture the surreal, fluid nature of dreams, immersing you in a world where logic bends and imagination reigns. Knowing that Kon tragically passed away so young adds an extra layer of poignancy to his work, making this film feel all the more precious.
If you haven’t seen Paprika, now’s your chance. It’s in limited release this weekend, and if you’re looking for a visually stunning, thought-provoking film to experience in a theatre, I can’t recommend it enough. Don’t miss out on this masterpiece.
