The Wasteland Reviewer

Ha-Chan, Shake Your Booty! (2026) Written Review

How would you overcome the tragedy of losing the love of your life? This is something that is damn near impossible to process and grasp. But this is indeed a terrible thing that so many people must go through. You define your life with that person in it and once they are gone, that life is over. Picking up the pieces can be hard and finding the same passions again in life can feel near impossible. Director Josef Kubota Wladyka tackles this human story with flair and vision with his latest effort, Ha-Chan, Shake Your Booty!

How do Nicholas Huynh and Wladyka explore this tragic story in their screenplay? The opening sequence of the film does some impressive heavy lifting as our protagonist Haru is fully shaped and the relationship between her and her husband Luis is so rich. Then tragedy strikes and the direct aftermath is layered, textured, and challenging. A mixture of culture clashes and complex dynamics between a widow and her in-laws deliver plenty of tension and emotion. The rest of the film is quite a human story about a widow attempting to rediscover her passions for dance and music. Hynh and Wladyka inject the film with other commentary on relationships such as open-marriage arrangements and such. There are some clunky beats in the story that lean into tropes that feel a little worn for this fresh film, but the message still gets across. Haru’s journey is a complicated one that leads her into the arms of another Latin lover and dancer (who happens to be in an open marriage). The way the film explores communication and grief feels impactful and meaningful. Haru’s arc is rich, realistic, and moving which gives Ha-Chan, Shake Your Booty! a strong core while the screenplay plays around with fun storytelling elements like its book chapters.

But what really makes this film so special and unique? The presentation of the film is some of the most dynamic and refreshing things you will see in a film this year. Even if the story has its grief and tragedy, there is pure joy injected into this film. The opening sequence of the film is a slow-building yet beautiful and joyous expression of Haru and Luis’ love for each other and their love of dance. Wladyka injects plenty of surrealist elements into the film which are embodiments of Haru’s grief. Seeing her dead husband in a giant black bird costume for one is quite the interesting metaphorical choice. The tragic turn of their dance number together is expressed in a hauntingly poetic manner. There are multiple, fantastical dance numbers sprinkled throughout the film which bring plenty of energy and personality to the film. The music in the film is vibrant and full of life, which gives the experience a whole other level of impact. The whole cinematic experience is dynamic and full of expressive filmmaking thanks to Wladyka and Daniel Satinoff (the cinematographer in the film). There is a wide range of emotions that emanate throughout the experience from joy to passion to love to lust to grief. Tonally, the film has an undercurrent of heft and sadness which matches the looming grief that hounds Haru’s experience in the film. The overall presentation of this film is so distinct, which makes it such an engrossing and worthwhile experience.

Who is the true star of the film, though? Rinko Kikuchi has come a long way from films like Pacific Rim to deliver a layered, complex, and moving performance. Her shining presence stands out in the heart of the vibrant chaos that is this experience. You feel so much passion and love all over Kikuchi’s performance at the beginning of the film. She sells the love and connection to Luis in such an authentic way which makes her pain and grief even more powerful. In the scenes that follow Luis’ tragic passing, Kikuchi delivers a performance that radiates sadness and leaves her feeling like a shell of the Haru at the beginning of the film. Through subtle acting choices, we see Kikuchi slowly inject joy and lust back into her presence once she meets Fedir, the alluring dance instructor that turns Haru’s life upside down. The growth that Kikuchi sells is quite impressive along with the impressive physicality of her dancing. Alejandro Edda and Alberto Guerra both bring their own unique brand of dancer to their roles as well as fiery passion that is hard to resist. There are a few other fun turns including Haru’s friends, who are portrayed by You and Yoh Yoshida. They have completely different personalities but they both leave an impression.

What makes Ha-Chan Shake Your Booty! so special? There is a deeply engaging exploration of mixing of cultures that gives the film a rich foundation to build on. The music and dancing are so essential to the film and deliver some of the most moving and delightful scenes in film this year (including a truly cathartic final stretch that resonates deeply). Kikuchi’s performance is beautiful, complex, and empathetic as she is the core that keeps this film together. A beautiful and bold film that will spice up your movie watching so make sure to not miss out on Ha-Chan, Shake Your Booty!