An old woman has died and her widower with dementia confesses to killing her. After this, the story goes back in time to show the events leading up to her death.

A bold return to filmmaking after thirteen years away, Yoshida’s next film after Coup d’etat was this subtle yet profoundly moving contemplation on old age and coming to terms with the end of one’s life. Bearing the spiritual marks of his beloved Ozu, The Human Promise makes a virtue of frailty.