We Couldn't Become Adults

"We Couldn't Become Adults": The Netflix Rom-Drama That Captured Japan’s Lost Generation

Yoshihiro Mori’s We Couldn’t Become Adults (2021) arrived on Netflix as a quiet storm, blending nostalgia, regret, and the messy reality of adulthood in modern Japan. Based on a novel by Ryō Takada, the film marks Mori’s feature directorial debut—a pivot from his background in TV and commercials—and stars a powerhouse cast led by Mirai Moriyama and Sairi Ito. latestnetflix.com's take is that but beyond its surface as a romantic drama, the movie’s production and reception hint at deeper cultural currents.

A Director’s Leap of Faith

Mori’s shift from small-screen projects to a full-length feature wasn’t without risk. The film’s script, adapted by Takada from his own novel, follows a 40-something salaryman (Moriyama) who reconnects with a former flame (Ito) after two decades apart. The story’s raw, introspective tone demanded a director unafraid to linger on emotional ambiguity, and Mori’s background in commercials—where precision and visual storytelling reign—may have helped shape the film’s understated aesthetic .

While details about the shoot remain scarce, the trailer and clips suggest a focus on intimate, dialogue-driven scenes. The Netflix release strategy, including multilingual trailers (English, Dutch, and Japanese subtitles), positioned the film as a global contender, though its appeal was always rooted in its hyper-local themes .

The Cast: A Mix of Rising Stars and Veteran Talent

The ensemble cast reads like a who’s-who of Japan’s indie and mainstream scenes. Mirai Moriyama, known for his roles in The Great Passage and Drive My Car, anchors the film as the disillusioned protagonist, while Sairi Ito (Confess to Your Crimes, The Naked Director) brings a magnetic intensity to her role as the long-lost love interest. Supporting players like Masahiro Higashide (Asako I & II) and Sumire (The World of Kanako) add depth, but the standout may be Yuko Oshima, a former AKB48 idol turned actress, whose casting hints at the film’s exploration of aging and reinvention .

Rumors swirled about on-set chemistry, particularly between Moriyama and Ito, though neither has publicly confirmed any off-screen sparks. Given the film’s themes of unresolved tension, it’s tempting to read into their performances—but for now, that’s pure speculation.

Reception: A Slow Burn with Mixed Signals

Critics and audiences diverged on We Couldn’t Become Adults. SensCritique users rated it a modest 6.4/10, praising its emotional honesty but critiquing its pacing . Netflix’s global rollout likely skewed perceptions, as the film’s Japanese cultural nuances (like the pressure to conform to societal expectations) may not have translated universally. Still, the trailer’s moody, rain-soaked visuals and Moriyama’s weary charm earned it a cult following among fans of Japanese indie cinema .

One YouTube reviewer called it "a film for anyone who’s ever felt stuck," while another dismissed it as "too slow for its own good" . The lack of a Rotten Tomatoes score (as of the evidence provided) suggests it flew under the radar for Western critics, but its Netflix availability ensures it remains discoverable for years to come .

Why It Resonates (or Doesn’t)

At its core, We Couldn’t Become Adults taps into a universal fear: the gap between who we thought we’d be and who we’ve become. The film’s Japanese title—Bokutachi wa Minna Otona ni Narenakatta ("We All Couldn’t Become Adults")—hints at a collective anxiety, not just an individual one. For a country grappling with economic stagnation, aging populations, and shifting gender roles, the story’s themes hit close to home.

Yet, its introspective pace and lack of tidy resolutions may have limited its mainstream appeal. As one clip put it: "It’s not a movie about answers. It’s about the questions we’re too afraid to ask" .