Lauren Hayataka
Writer, Editor, and Film Critic
Exploring stories and identity through cinema and literature, with film criticism published in The Asian Cut and Independent Book Review, and editorial experience at People Inc and Classical Conversations.
Portfolio Highlights
Film Criticism & Analysis - The Asian Cut
1. Jason Yu on ‘Sleep’: How Real-Life Horror Shaped His Unsettling Debut
• An interview with Jason Yu discussing the inspirations behind Sleep and its unique approach to horror, mental health, and family dynamics in South Korean cinema.
• Read the Interview
2. Silent Suffering: Maternal Shame Explored in 'Confessions'
• An in-depth essay exploring how Confessions examines maternal guilt and shame through the lens of Japanese cultural expectations and morality.
• Read the Article
3. The Choreography of Trust: Masayuki Suô and Kusakari Tamiyo on ‘Shall We Dance?’
• An interview with director Masayuki Suô and actor Kusakari Tamiyo on Shall We Dance?, exploring trust, intimacy, and emotional restraint in performance and storytelling.
• Read the Interview
Book Reviews - Independent Book Review
1. 180 Days by Alfredo Botello
• A review of 180 Days, a gripping story by Fast & Furious 9 screenwriter Alfredo Botello, where resilience and identity collide in an emotionally charged narrative.
• Read the Review
2. The Café With No Name by Robert Seethaler
• A review of The Café With No Name, a poignant meditation on resilience and fleeting connections, where Robert Seethaler’s evocative prose captures postwar Vienna’s quiet beauty and the power of small moments that shape a lifetime.
• Read the Review
3. Numamushi by Mina Ikemoto Ghosh
• A starred review spotlighted on Book Jotter, analyzing the unique narrative and themes in Numamushi.
• Read the Review | Book Jotter Spotlight
Industry Feedback
"Please let the reviewer, Lauren Hayataka, know that I found her review incredibly insightful (her views on the characters and what they are going through - their various existential crises - are spot-on), elegantly written, and sharp in their specificity: of moments, dialogue, relationship dynamics, and so on. Just a terrific, thoughtful analysis of the book."— Alfredo Botello, Author of 180 Days and Scriptwriter (Fast & Furious 9: The Fast Saga)
"Lauren Hayataka is a curious, intelligent, and reflective writer who can provide insightful essays and reviews for films made within many diverse cultural contexts. On top of that, she is also a joy to work with, and it's wonderful to witness her grow as a film critic and excel in new types of writing, such as interviews with filmmakers."— Rose Ho, Co-Founder and Editor of The Asian Cut
Education
Master of Arts in Communication and Bachelor of Science in Religion: Biblical and Theological Studies
Liberty University
Want to get in touch?
I’m open to thoughtful collaborations, review inquiries, and press opportunities, as well as freelance work in writing and editing. You can reach me at [email protected]
or via the button below.