Woman in the Dunes poster

Woman in the Dunes

Haunting. Erotic. Unforgettable.

8.2(554)19642h 27m9

A vacationing entomologist suffers extreme physical and psychological trauma after being taken captive by the residents of a poor seaside village and made to live with a woman whose life task is shoveling sand for them.

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Status
Released
Budget
—
Box office
—
Language
Japanese
  • based on novel or book
  • insect
  • sand
  • art house
  • water shortage
  • psychological thriller
  • black and white
  • held captive
  • skin
  • trapped
  • missing person
  • sexual torture

Top billed cast

Behind the camera

Writers

Kōbō Abe

Produced in

Japan

Gallery

Still from Woman in the DunesStill from Woman in the DunesStill from Woman in the DunesStill from Woman in the DunesStill from Woman in the DunesStill from Woman in the DunesStill from Woman in the DunesStill from Woman in the DunesStill from Woman in the DunesStill from Woman in the DunesStill from Woman in the DunesStill from Woman in the Dunes

Videos

Release dates

  • United StatesUS

    • TheatricalNR25 Oct 1964
  • FranceFR

    • Theatrical11 Nov 1964
  • GermanyDE

    • Theatrical1823 Jun 1966
  • HungaryHU

    • Theatrical21 Jan 1971
  • JapanJP

    • Theatrical15 Feb 1964
  • MexicoMX

    • Theatrical12 Aug 1966
  • NetherlandsNL

    • Physical12DVD19 Oct 2004
  • SwedenSE

    • Theatrical (limited)1515 Feb 1964
  • TaiwanTW

    • PremiereTFAI - Love, Death & Rebels: The Japanese New Wave25 Jan 2026

Frequently asked questions

Woman in the Dunes was released on 15 February 1964.

Audience reviews

3
  • H

    hanszha

    12/15/2023

    10/10

    - to me utterly & completely incomprehensable that this movie has been so neglected , Not included in - more 'popular' -watchlists ( or 'best movie' -lists ... ) - it is a Grand Feast for the eyes and the mind : the story , the acting , the photography is of such superb level !!! - i would hot hesitate to rate it ( - actually with many movie-'professionals' ... ) as among the top twenty best ( cinema-proper…

  • C

    CinemaSerf

    2/6/2025

    7/10

    Yikes, but for a film almost entirely set outdoors it’s remarkably claustrophobic! It’s about the exploring bug hunter “Jumpei” (Eiji Okada) who finds himself a bit lost out in the sand dunes after he misses the last bus of the day. A friendly villager offers him some shelter for the night, buy boy is he ill-prepared for quite what that man, and his entire village, has in store. He is placed with a widow, but when he…

  • A

    Alunauwie

    6/26/2026

    8/10

    *Woman in the Dunes* is a haunting psychological drama that explores freedom, isolation, and human resilience through compelling character development, striking black-and-white cinematography, and an immersive atmosphere. While its limited setting and restrained character backstories create some emotional distance, the film's powerful symbolism and thoughtful storytelling leave a lasting impression. Overall, it is a …

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