25

In the gritty action-crime film 25, released in 2014, viewers are thrust into the morally ambiguous world of two corrupt detectives, Shintarou Sakurai (Sho Aikawa) and Koichi Hikage (Susumu Terajima). Partners in both crime and law enforcement, they navigate a web of deceit as they exploit their positions to blackmail criminal organizations and seize their ill-gotten gains. However, their lives take a sharp turn when the Chief of Police discovers that a significant sum—2.5 million yen—has mysteriously vanished from their records. With the clock ticking, Shintarou and Koichi must scramble to recover the money, leading them down a treacherous path that challenges their loyalty, greed, and the very foundations of their partnership.

As the duo grapples with their self-inflicted troubles, they stumble upon a tantalizing lead in a massive pension fund embezzlement case involving 6 billion yen. The prime suspect, a slippery character who has already squandered a vast fortune, still has a staggering 2.5 billion yen remaining. This discovery ignites a desperate race against time, blending elements of suspense and dark humor as the detectives juggle their corrupt practices with the pressures of their deteriorating situation. 25 not only highlights themes of moral ambiguity and the seductive nature of greed but also delves into the complexities of friendship under the weight of betrayal and desperation. As the stakes rise, the film invites viewers to ponder whether redemption is possible in a world where loyalty can be bought and sold.