Keiko Kitagawa is shedding her long-held “pure” image and stepping into the darkest role of her career a drug dealer and struggling mother in the upcoming suspense film “Night Flower,” set to hit theaters on November 28.
The news, reported by The Hochi Shimbun on June 12, marks a major turning point for the 38-year-old actress, who hasn’t headlined a feature film in four years since 2021’s “First Love” (directed by Yukihiko Tsutsumi).
A Gritty Comeback in the Midnight Series
“Night Flower” is directed and written by Eiji Uchida, the award-winning mind behind 2020’s “Midnight Swan”, which captured the Japan Academy Prize for Best Picture with its poignant story of transgender identity. This latest film is the second installment in Uchida’s Midnight Series, and it’s set to explore equally heavy themes this time through the lens of motherhood, poverty, and survival.
Kitagawa plays Natsuki, a single mother of two forced into drug dealing as she fights to protect her children. In a newly released trailer, Kitagawa is almost unrecognizable disheveled, barefaced, and speaking in a raw Kansai dialect. Her voice cracks as she shouts:
“I want to show my children a future!”
“I need money!”
The transformation is intense and incredibly human.
“I Was Shocked When I Read the Script”
In interviews, Kitagawa shared how the role hit close to home. A mother of two in real life, she said she found Natsuki’s pain relatable:
“Natsuki is a mother who happens to be in the worst circumstances. But that’s life it could happen to anyone. That’s what scared me.”
She admitted she was shocked by the script but fascinated by the moral conflict at its heart:
“I know drug dealing is wrong. But the idea of giving up everything to protect your child that love is real. It pulled me in.”
This is her first time working with Director Uchida since 2021’s WOWOW series “Serial Drama W: Sunset”, and it may be their most emotionally intense collaboration yet.
Director Uchida: “She Exploded with Overwhelming Acting”
Director Uchida originally imagined the story while writing “Midnight Swan.” He said he was inspired by the image of a mother navigating the criminal world of the night.
Regarding Kitagawa’s performance, he had high praise:
“She took on an incredibly difficult role and on set, she exploded with overwhelming acting I had never seen before. It felt like we were witnessing the beginning of a new chapter in her career.”
He also emphasized how her Kansai roots helped ground the character, saying he wanted her to portray “a strong mother from Kansai,” surviving with grit and emotional power.
Why “Night Flower” Could Be Kitagawa’s Defining Role
This isn’t just a comeback it might be Keiko Kitagawa’s most defining performance yet. She completely breaks type, taking a deep dive into a role full of contradictions: vulnerable yet fierce, broken yet determined.
In her own words:
“I acted freely in this role. I hope people will feel Natsuki’s will to protect her children and the realness of someone trying to stay positive in a corrupt world.”
When Does “Night Flower” Come Out?
Release Date: November 28, 2025
Genre: Human suspense drama
Starring: Keiko Kitagawa as Natsuki
Director/Writer: Eiji Uchida (Midnight Swan)
If you’ve only seen Kitagawa in romantic or graceful roles, prepare to be stunned. “Night Flower” promises a gritty, emotionally charged look at what one mother will do for love and the lengths she’ll go to for survival.
Will you be watching “Night Flower”?
Let us know in the comments what you think of Kitagawa’s shocking new role or share your favorite performance of hers to date!
