After so many failed attempts, I've come to accept that Junji Ito's work just doesn't translate well to animation. This is another case where the lackluster animation, the lack of creativity, and the lack of tension fail to capture the essence of his work.
I feel that many of the stories lose their atmosphere in translation, and each episode feels more uninspired than the last. Except for a few bright spots, the show rarely leaves an impression.
The premise is interesting, but the result feels like a video game: the protagonist must complete quests to escape an arbitrary situation, while random NPCs provide clues without any believable reason, things no one would actually do in real life or in that context. The story drags on in the second half, with too many plot holes and unlikely excuses to keep going.
The drama of the Crain family unfolds through a clever use of flashbacks and present-day events. The show relies more on atmosphere and character development rather than cheap scares, with the actors delivering great performances that convey the struggles of a family dealing with grief.