As shown in the manga books and anime series, the Black Butler is a demon who serves a Master in return for his soul. This Japanese live-action version, starring Hiro Mizushima, has a feminist twist: the Master is actually a Mistress (Ayame Gôriki), who’s posing as her illegitimate brother in order to inherit a fortune and avenge her parents’ death. It gives this futuristic revenge thriller a fun spin – as does the dramatic gothic garb, the drug-fuelled parties and the sub/dom subtext. Much of the dialogue and performances are stilted, but as a kitsch cult watch it has its charms.
