Shimako Sato's The Yin Yang Master Zero is a game-changer for Japanese cinema—the country's first big-budget fantasy flick directed by a woman, and it's a doozy. The film brings to life the story of Abe no Seimei, Japan's most badass onmyoji (that's a yin yang master to the neophyte). These guys were the real deal in the Heian Era (794-1185), using their mad skills in divination, sorcery, and exorcism to keep the capital safe from all kinds of nasties. Sato's crafted a killer origin story that's sure to spawn a franchise, with jaw-dropping visuals from Shirogumi, the Oscar®-winning effects wizards behind Godzilla Minus One, led by Sato's hubby, Takashi Yamazaki. But it's not all flash and no substance—the film's got some serious contemporary vibes, with a tug of war between men of magic and men of science, and a deep dive into truth vs. fact. Plus, Kento Yamazaki and Shota Sometani are a dream team as the leads, with a rapport that's sure to keep this saga going strong.