Death Note (2017)

Death Note (2017)

Death Note is a 2017 American supernatural crime thriller film directed by Adam Wingard, loosely based on the Japanese manga series of the same name by Tsugumi Ohba and Takeshi Obata. The film stars Nat Wolff as Light Turner, a high school student who discovers a mysterious notebook that allows him to kill anyone whose name he writes in it. He uses the notebook to eliminate criminals under the alias Kira, attracting the attention of a world-renowned detective known only as L (Lakeith Stanfield) and a death god named Ryuk (voiced by Willem Dafoe). The film also features Margaret Qualley as Mia Sutton, Light's girlfriend who becomes involved in his actions.

Plot Summary

Light Turner, a brilliant but disillusioned high school student, stumbles upon a supernatural notebook dropped by a death god named Ryuk. The notebook, called the Death Note, has the power to kill anyone whose name is written in it, provided the user knows the person's face. Initially skeptical, Light tests the notebook on his school bully and is shocked when the bully dies in a freak accident. Ryuk appears to Light and explains the rules. Intoxicated by the power, Light begins systematically killing criminals worldwide, adopting the alias Kira. His actions spark a global manhunt led by the enigmatic detective L, who uses his intellect to narrow down Kira's location to the Seattle area. As Light and L engage in a cat-and-mouse game, Light's girlfriend Mia discovers the notebook and becomes a willing accomplice. The film culminates in a confrontation where Light must choose between his mission and his humanity.

Franchise Chronology

Death Note has been adapted into numerous media. Below is the chronology of major live-action films and the original anime series:

• Death Note (2006, Japanese live-action film) – Directed by Shusuke Kaneko, this film adapts the first half of the manga. Light Yagami (Tatsuya Fujiwara) finds the Death Note and begins his crusade as Kira, pursued by L (Kenichi Matsuyama).
• Death Note: The Last Name (2006, Japanese live-action film) – Direct sequel continuing the cat-and-mouse game between Light and L, concluding the first major arc.
• L: Change the WorLd (2008, Japanese live-action spin-off) – Focuses on L's final 23 days as he takes on a case involving a deadly virus.
• Death Note: Light Up the New World (2016, Japanese live-action film) – Set 10 years after the original, a new Kira emerges, and a task force is formed to stop them.
• Death Note (2017, American live-action film) – A loose adaptation set in Seattle with an original story.
• Death Note (2006-2007, anime series) – The 37-episode anime adaptation closely follows the manga and is widely considered the definitive version.

Where to Watch

• Netflix – The 2017 film is available for streaming exclusively on Netflix: Watch on Netflix
• UAKino – For Ukrainian viewers, the film may be available with Ukrainian voiceover: Search on UAKino