i enjoyed this movie, but i feel certain that u have to have seen the higurashi anime or played the game before watching this, otherwise it may not make much sense...but i guess anyone looking for this movie is doing so coz they loved the anime (like me!).i cant give too much away without spoiling it, so all il say is this movie is based on Rena-chan's arc in the 1st higurashi and is more violent and intense than the previous 'shrill cries of summer' movie...its definitely not for kids, even though its all about kids, with plenty of profanity and blood, violence and disturbing scenes...the acting is average, but the scenery and way it follows closely to the anime was cool, with the same sense of menace and paranoia...