Woman in the Dunes (1964)
Kernel Score: 90% · 506 ratings · Rated NR
Genres: Drama, Thriller
Released: 1964-02-15
Runtime: 147 minutes
Where to watch Woman in the Dunes
- Stream: The Criterion Channel, Darkroom
- Rent: Prime Video, Apple TV, Fandango At Home
- Buy: Prime Video, Apple TV, Fandango At Home
US availability, updated 2026-10-23.
Overview
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.
Woman in the Dunes parents' guide: ages 15+
Parents need to know that Woman in the Dunes is a Japanese psychological thriller in which a man is held captive in a sand pit and subjected to disturbing sexual and psychological ordeal.
- Violence & scariness: Moderate — Depicts captivity and psychological trauma, including a scene tagged as sexual torture.
- Sex, romance & nudity: Moderate — Keywords indicate erotic and sexual-torture content involving the captive protagonist and the woman holding him.
Fresh Kernels AI-assessed from the official NR rating, publicly documented content. A guide for families, not an official rating.
Movies like Woman in the Dunes
If you liked Woman in the Dunes, these are the movies we'd watch next.
- Room (2015) — 89%
- The Machinist (2004) — 84%
- Misery (1990) — 86%
- Sin City (2005) — 84%
- Papillon (1973) — 87%
- Dogville (2003) — 87%
- The Lighthouse (2019) — 86%
- The Dance of Reality (2013) — 81%
Director
Hiroshi Teshigahara
Cast
- Eiji Okada as Entomologist Niki Jumpei
- Kyôko Kishida as The Woman
- Hiroko Itō as Entomologist's Wife
- Kōji Mitsui as Village Elder
Woman in the Dunes FAQ
Is Woman in the Dunes good?
Woman in the Dunes has a 90% Kernel Score on Fresh Kernels from 506 audience ratings.
Where can I watch Woman in the Dunes?
In the US you can stream Woman in the Dunes on The Criterion Channel and Darkroom and rent it from Prime Video, Apple TV and Fandango At Home.
Is Woman in the Dunes OK for kids?
Woman in the Dunes is rated NR. Fresh Kernels suggests ages 15+. Parents need to know that Woman in the Dunes is a Japanese psychological thriller in which a man is held captive in a sand pit and subjected to disturbing sexual and psychological ordeal.
What movies are like Woman in the Dunes?
If you liked Woman in the Dunes, try Room, The Machinist, Misery and Sin City.