Heaven and Hell: Soul Exchange (2021) User Reviews

Heaven and Hell: Soul Exchange

[Tweekums · 7/10 · 26 November 2023]

Policewoman Ayako Mochizuki is part of the team investigating a brutal murder. Having had some difficulty with her seniors she decides to confront suspect Haruto Hidaka alone. The meet on a footbridge during a full moon. As she tries to arrest him they stumble and fall down the steps... when they regain consciousness they discover that they have swapped bodies! Things get difficult for Ayako as solving the case would put her in prison. Meanwhile Haruto finds himself part of the investigation team. Only one person, Ayako's partner, realises what has happened. Will she be able to get her own body back and solve the case or will she end up framed for murder?

I thought this was a fun, fairly light hearted series. The premise might not be original but it plays out nicely. There are some surprises to be had as not everything goes quite as one might expect. The cast did a solid job, especially Issei Takahashi and Haruka Ayase as Haruto and Ayako... or more accurately as Ayako and Haruto while they are switched. There are some weaknesses; each time one of the characters engages in one of their visual tics the camera zooms in as if they weren't obvious enough already which can be a bit irritating. Overall I'd not say this was a must see but it passes the time nicely if you want a fun crime drama with a twist.

These comments are based on watching the series in Japanese with English subtitles.

Wrong expectations

[shanayneigh · 5/10 · 2 September 2023]

The description and still image chosen by Netflix did not to this show justice. Judging from them I had anticipated a thriller. What we ended up with was a pretty cheesy romantic melodramedy where the end makes zero sense with what happens earlier in the show, in particular the video clip sent by the supposed serial killer when he's in the female cop's body to the female cop who is stuck in his body.

The premise - a serial killer and a cop switching bodies - would have made for an excellent feature length thriller. But since we're living in the age of streaming everything must be stretched into a ten hour series, regardless of whether they have enough story or character development to actually fill those ten episodes.

The acting is pretty weak throughout, and the show is chock full of the usual Japanese style of overacting (especially in comedies) with screaming aplenty.

The best thing was probably the song "Tadaima" by Aoi Teshima playing in every episode.

A fun drinking game would be taking a shot every time you hear jingle bells or the "moon ding" (watch the show and you'll know). Prepare to die quickly of alcohol poisoning.

Not a horrible show, just mediocre and a failed opportunity. It killed ten hours but is nothing I'll watch again. However, I have listened to more of Aoi Teshima's music, so thanks for that tip.