Tengoku to Jigoku: Psychona futari (2021) [Drama Review]

Tengoku to Jigoku: Psychona futari; or, Knowing Me, Knowing You

     This was supposed to be me. I hunted him down, handcuffed him. I was going to take credit for it and look back at everyone. I was so close. Why? Why is this happening to me? He's a psychopath, a serial killer, and... a demon.
The beginning of 2021 just could have started better for J-drama enthusiasts. Just a couple of days after the broadcast of the first episode of Tengoku to Jigoku: Psychona futari (Heaven and Hell: 2 Psycho People), the hype reached the heights of a tidal wave! I don’t usually watch dramas live as they air on a weekly basis, but for this show, I decided to make an exception. It is a brilliant crime thriller with a touch of a supernatural element.

Release Info

Directed by: Yuichiro Hirakawa, Takahiro Aoyama Starring: Haruka Ayase, Issei Takahashi, Kazuki Kitamura

Language: Japanese Original Title: 天国と地獄 ~サイコな2人～No. or eps.: 10

Synopsis
Ayako Mochizuki (Haruka Ayase) is a diligent police detective with a strong sense of justice. She looks down on her colleagues who slack off or engage in shady stuff. After the murder of a businessman, Ayako participates in an investigation and types a certain Haruto Hidaka (Issei Takahashi) as the primary suspect. Hidaka is a prosperous CEO of a chemical company and respected personality, but Ayako is convinced that he is a psychopathic killer. Just when she is about to arrest him, the two fall down a street staircase. Upon regaining consciousness, they discover that their bodies are switched… Mochizuki, now in Hidaka’s body, does everything in her power to solve the case.

Mutual (Mis)understanding
Honestly, just summing up the premise of the drama above gave me the chills. Initially, you just think that it is a remake of John Woo’s Face/Off action flick, but Tengoku to Jigoku is so much more than that! It is about distinct personalities of the main protagonists, Hidaka’s painful past, exposing the truth, and annoying sidekicks who turn into unforgettable characters. In my opinion, the best way to describe the drama is to call a mix between Face/Off (1997), Vice Versa (1988), and Memories of Murder (2003).

Evidently, I won’t share any spoilers in this review. Let me just say that each episode is a fast-paced roller coaster with lots of clever plot twists. Just when you think that something is unnecessary or stupid, it gains great importance later on in the story! Huge respect for writer Yoshiko Morishita who managed to come up with such quality content. In fact, she never fails at penning gripping dramas (Tenno no Ryoriban (2015), MR. BRAIN (2009)).

With regard to performances, Haruka Ayase and Issei Takahashi steal this show! It is an amazing experience watching their complex performances as they alternately act out the characters of Mochizuki and Hidaka. The two of them are such brilliant performers.

A word of appreciation also goes to supporting actors, especially Junpei Mizobata, Tasuku Emoto, Takaya Sakoda, and Kazuki Kitamura. I hated you, Kazuki, early on in the series, but you progressively grew on me with each consecutive episode.

Recommendations
On average, the drama pulled in 20% of viewership ratings which is a very good score. It’s been only week since the last episode came out, but I can already tell that Tengoku to Jigoku: Psychona futari is a classic production from TBS station. It is so powerful and touching. I look forward to more such thrilling shows!Overall score: 8/10

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