Happiness (2017): cast, story & where to watch

Released in 2017, Happiness is a drama film directed by SABU, running about 90 minutes.

What it’s about. Kanjaki, a middle-aged man, goes to a quiet countryside village. He puts his helmet on a shrunken old woman whom he meets by chance in a shop. As soon as he presses the buttons on the helmet one by one, she suddenly remembers forgotten happy moments and is rejuvenated. This is just the beginning. Kanjaki goes on to make the village people recall their happy pasts, but his face is lined with worry and a sadness that deepens. What is the secret of this helmet? And what is he trying to do with it? Director Sabu’s Happiness suggests happiness and suffering are intertwined through the unusual scenario of a helmet reminding people of the happiest moments of their lives. Sabu convincingly portrays the notion that memory is the source of both happiness and suffering, and how memory affects our lives.

Who’s in it. Happiness stars Masatoshi Nagase as Kanzaki, Hiroki Suzuki, Erika Okuda and Hiroki Suzuki, among others.

How it landed. With an audience score of 6.3/10, Happiness has drawn a solid, mixed-to-positive response.

Where to watch. Streaming options change often. See the full, country-by-country breakdown on our where to watch Happiness page.

If you liked it. Fans of Happiness tend to enjoy The Shawshank Redemption, The Godfather, Schindler's List and The Godfather Part II.