It’s officially cuffing season, which means couples everywhere are settling in for cozy, sexy nights of takeout and streaming their favorite rom-coms. But if you’d rather test your partner’s resilience—or spark a few hot takes about dating and gender—queue up one of Japan’s most unnerving love stories, now streaming on Tubi.

At first, it plays like your typical romantic comedy. Encouraged by his son and producer friend to start dating again, a widower named Aoyama (Ryo Ishibashi) holds a fake film audition to meet his potential new wife. The women show off their gymnastics skills. They dance. Some sit awkwardly, shuffling their feet. Some undress. Others overshare about their personal lives. And then there’s Asami (Eihi Shiina)—a beautiful, shy ex-ballerina who doesn’t need to do anything special to capture Aoyama’s attention. She’s modest compared to the others. She has no acting experience. But Aoyama is convinced she’s absolutely perfect for the “role.”

And Asami knows she is. We see her waiting by the telephone for her callback, motionless for days. That’s when we realize something is terribly, horribly wrong.

Watch the trailer below:

Or right—depending on who you ask. I think the answer is a lot more nuanced than what anyone on Letterboxd would have you believe. Audition isn’t inherently feminist, but it’s absolutely ripe for feminist analysis (including the one we did). That’s part of what makes it such a great date-night movie.

Is Aoyama a villain? A victim? Is Asami justified? Is this what happens when male fantasies go unchecked and unquestioned? And is there any form of self-defense that doesn’t risk shifting sympathy back to the man who caused harm in the first place?

If you’re in a new relationship, though, maybe don’t dive into those conversations on the second or third date. That’s “What’s your five-year plan?” territory. Wait until the fifth. Go out for a nice dinner—or better yet, cook something for them at home. Have them bring a beautiful bottle of wine. Cozy up and tell them you want to show them your favorite movie. Just be sure to finish the crudité platter before you hit play. Actually, maybe don’t eat anything at all after the first 40 minutes. You still want to make out if everything goes well, right? Right.

Audition is streaming for free on Tubi. And as always, if you love it, let me know: @ashjenexi.

Categorized: News