Tokyo Idols

In Tokyo Idols, director Kyoko Miyake offers a candid look at the fascinating and somewhat unsettling world of Japanese pop culture, where young female idols are worshiped by legions of adult male fans who are willing to spend their life savings just to be near them. Through the lens of Rio, a rising pop star, and her group of middle-aged male "brothers" who have devoted their lives to following her, the film explores the darker side of internet fame, the obsession with youth and beauty, and the growing disconnect between men and women in hypermodern societies. As the film delves deeper into the inner workings of the pop music industry and the lives of its idols, it reveals a culture in which women are pressured to conform to traditional beauty ideals and men are willing to sacrifice everything for a chance at fleeting intimacy. Ultimately, Tokyo Idols presents a thought-provoking critique of the gender power dynamics at play in this strange and captivating world.

You can stream Tokyo Idols on: Apple TV

Some movies that have similar genres and were produced around the same time as Tokyo Idols include Billie Eilish: The World's a Little Blurry, Desolation Center, Homecoming: The Road to Mullingar, Good Ol' Freda, Awaken, GIMS: On the Record.