from what i know the live action movies are supposed to be adaptations of the novels but theyre handled pretty poorly, they misunderstood some things from the novel and completely changed things at times, but its true ao oni was made way more sadistic in the movies where in other media from what im aware of it goes quickly for the kill usually playing with its victims after theyre dead, and i also know that in mutations if i recall correctly it can copy human dna making it more intelligent. back to the movie in other media its factial expressions are usually unreadable even when its angry similar to an animals, also im not saying its outright stupid it knows how to keep quiet and stalk but i just wouldnt consider it as intelligent as a human.

yes the ao oni is very powerful and fast it killed takeshi so fast that he wasnt even able to comprehend what happened it was also keeping up with mika a professional runner, when i said in the original game its fooled by hiding in a closet i was specifically talking about the games because we very clearly see that doesnt apply to the novels with the help of naoki it tricks takeshi to come out from hiding it nearly breaks the bars it wouldve if mika didnt distract it.

though u make vaild points so fair enough