What Numb Is About
Numb tells the story of a boy who's stopped speaking. Not by choice, exactly—but shaped by a tyrannical father and a mother he both resents and loves. He drifts across Japan's northern coast with nowhere to belong, until he decides to return and seek out his father. That decision sets everything in motion.
It's a film about silence as a kind of language. About the weight of family, absence, and the places we're shaped by.
What We Know So Far
According to Plex, Numb is set to arrive on September 25, 2026, with a runtime of 118 minutes. The film is written and directed by Takuya Uchiyama—who drew on his own hometown region for the story, making it semi-autobiographical in nature.
The cast includes Takumi Kitamura as Daichi (the protagonist), alongside Rie Miyazawa, Tsukasa Enomoto, Anji Kato, Haruto Akimoto, Mariko Akama, and Masatoshi Nagase. The film spans 1998 to 2017 and was shot entirely on 16mm—a choice that grounds the work in a documentary-like aesthetic, all stark urban landscapes and the grit of a specific place and time.
Why It's Anticipated
Numb already premiered in 2025, including a selection in the Panorama section of the Berlin International Film Festival—the kind of festival placement that signals serious artistic intent. That's not a guarantee of anything, but it's a signal. A director returning to his own geography, shooting on film stock, building a story around what isn't said rather than what is—that's the kind of premise that tends to stick with people.
What's striking is how rare it is to see a feature-length drama centered on silence itself. Most films talk too much. Here's one that doesn't.
Release and Where to Watch
Numb hasn't been released yet. It's coming in 2026—specifically September 25, 2026. Streaming availability hasn't been confirmed, and platform rights for different territories remain unannounced. Movie OTT will track where and when the film becomes available as those details emerge. For now, you can use the Where-to-Watch widget below to set a reminder.
Frequently Asked Questions
When is Numb releasing? Numb is expected to release on September 25, 2026. That's the official date listed across multiple databases.
Is Numb out yet? No. The film premiered at festivals in 2025 but won't be available for general audiences until 2026.
Where will I be able to watch Numb? Streaming platforms and territories for the 2026 release haven't been officially announced yet. Movie OTT will update the Where-to-Watch widget as that information becomes available.
Who directed Numb? Takuya Uchiyama wrote and directed the film. It's semi-autobiographical, rooted in his hometown region.
What's the runtime? Numb runs 118 minutes (1 hour 58 minutes).
What to Look Forward To
A film shot on 16mm in 2025 that's already been selected for Berlin doesn't arrive by accident. Uchiyama's working in a mode that's becoming rarer—patient, grounded, willing to let silence speak. When Numb does arrive, it'll be worth paying attention.