IMDb > The Ring (2002)
The Ring
Quicklinks
Top Links
trailers and videosfull cast and crewtriviaofficial sitesmemorable quotes
Overview
main detailscombined detailsfull cast and crewcompany creditstv schedule
Awards & Reviews
user commentsexternal reviewsnewsgroup reviewsawardsuser ratingsparents guiderecommendationsmessage board
Plot & Quotes
plot summarysynopsisplot keywordsAmazon.com summarymemorable quotes
Fun Stuff
triviagoofssoundtrack listingcrazy creditsalternate versionsmovie connectionsFAQ
Other Info
merchandising linksbox office/businessrelease datesfilming locationstechnical specslaserdisc detailsDVD detailsliterature listingsNewsDesk
Promotional
taglines trailers and videos posters photo gallery
External Links
showtimesofficial sitesmiscellaneousphotographssound clipsvideo clips
Photos (see all 46 | slideshow) Videos (see all 6)
The Ring (2002) -- Pre, "Coming Soon"
The Ring (2002) -- A young journalist must investigate a mysterious videotape which seems to cause the death of anyone in a week of viewing it.
The Ring (2002) -- AllTrailers.net - Trailer (Flash)

Overview

User Rating:
7.2/10   76,986 votes
MOVIEmeter: ?
Down 8% in popularity this week. See why on IMDbPro.
Director:
Writers (WGA):
Ehren Kruger (screenplay)
Kôji Suzuki (novel)
more
Contact:
View company contact information for The Ring on IMDbPro.
Release Date:
18 October 2002 (USA) more
Tagline:
Before you die, you see the ring more
Plot:
A young journalist must investigate a mysterious videotape which seems to cause the death of anyone in a week of viewing it. full summary | full synopsis
Plot Keywords:
Awards:
7 wins & 5 nominations more
User Comments:
Visually intense creepfest--different purpose than the original more (1592 total)

Cast

  (Cast overview, first billed only)
Create a character page for: ?

Additional Details

Also Known As:
Ring (USA) (pre-release title)
Seven Days (USA) (working title)
Static (USA) (working title)
Za ringu (Japan)
more
MPAA:
Rated PG-13 for thematic elements, disturbing images, language and some drug references.
Runtime:
115 min
Country:
Language:
Color:
Color | Color (Technicolor)
Certification:
Canada:13+ (Quebec) | Canada:14 (New Brunswick/Nova Scotia/Prince Edward Island) | Canada:14A (Alberta/British Columbia) | Canada:AA (Ontario) | Canada:PA (Manitoba) | Portugal:M/16 | Malaysia:U | Iceland:16 | South Korea:15 | Brazil:14 | India:A (cinema release) | Argentina:16 | Australia:MA | Chile:14 | Finland:K-15 | France:-12 | Germany:16 (bw) | Ireland:15PG (original rating) | Ireland:15 (video rating) | Israel:16 | Japan:PG-12 | Mexico:B | Netherlands:16 | New Zealand:R16 | Norway:15 | Peru:14 | Philippines:PG-13 | Singapore:PG | Spain:18 | Sweden:15 | Switzerland:14 (canton of Geneva) | Switzerland:14 (canton of Vaud) | Switzerland:16 (canton of Bern) | Switzerland:16 (canton of Zurich) | Switzerland:16 (canton of the Grisons) | UK:15 | USA:PG-13 (certificate #39347) | Greece:K-17
Company:

Fun Stuff

Trivia:
The "Moesko Island Lighthouse" is a fictional name for a real lighthouse located in Newport, Oregon. Built in 1873, the real lighthouse is named Yaquina Head Lighthouse and is still currently an active aid to navigation. more
Goofs:
Revealing mistakes: In order for the well cover to form the perfect ring of light in the video, it would have to be narrower than the shaft (in which case it would simply have fallen in and crushed Samara). more
Quotes:
Innkeeper: This is your card, right?
Rachel Keller: That's it.
more
Movie Connections:
Soundtrack:
Hey John more

FAQ

Why were the victims given seven days to live?
What does the title mean?
Does the movie show what's on the tape?
more
9 out of 11 people found the following comment useful.
Visually intense creepfest--different purpose than the original, 4 February 2008
7/10
Author: J Chang from United States

This film is the American take on the Japanese original and while it absorbs its source material intact, it twists around its formula a bit in order to make it fit its new surroundings. The story is the same: a journalist, after losing her niece to a mysterious circumstance, investigates and discovers a cursed videotape, which gives a viewer only seven days to live.

Like its predecessors, the film doesn't spend that much time on the supernatural elements, but focuses more on the mystery. However, The Ring features a lot more supernatural elements immediately and throughout the film than either previous version, perhaps to make more obvious and visceral the impending doom that faces our protagonist. Visually, The Ring has been injected with a shot of adrenaline, being less the brooding mystery of the original and more immediate and menacing. The color palette is colder than Ringu and the story is also more detached and focused on the ghostly mechanics than the human story, which leads the film to be more recognizably intimidating.

The story itself is a little more mysterious in that the backstory of our villain is rather thin and unexplained. Furthermore, the villain is clearly portrayed as senselessly malevolent; this weakens at least two significant scenes. The ending, I think, is more clever than the previous versions. I like that there is something to the relationship between the protagonist, Rachel, and her ally, Noah, but it still seems a little weak when compared to Ringu--where one line can effortlessly show the development in the relationship.

As far as a horror movie goes, The Ring is a blunt, but nonetheless creepy example. Losing some of the trappings of its predecessors helps simplify the story for faster flow and to create room for more visual creepiness, but also loses some of the complexity that helped the story have more depth. It's more of impressive frightfest than Ringu, but is a little weaker in story resonance. In the end, that makes The Ring just as effective overall: if you want more chills, catch this version. If you want more meat, catch Ringu. Decent entertainment. 7/10.

Was the above comment useful to you?
more (1592 total)

Message Boards

Discuss this movie with other users on IMDb message board for The Ring (2002)
Recent Posts (updated daily)User
Why was Samara Evil? ricardowood
Top 10 Horror Movies of the Decade imaintdan
you know how to tell american horror sucks? ColbyJacko
The Things I Love Most About this Movie pianoplayer219
hands down scariest movie Ive ever seen Benji725
more

Recommendations

If you enjoyed this title, our database also recommends:
- - - - -
Ringu The Grudge 2 La coda dello scorpione Chakushin ari Rasen
IMDb User Rating:
IMDb User Rating:
IMDb User Rating:
IMDb User Rating:
IMDb User Rating:
Show more recommendations

Related Links

Full cast and crew Company credits External reviews
News articles IMDb Horror section IMDb USA section
Add this title to MyMovies

You may report errors and omissions on this page to the IMDb database managers. They will be examined and if approved will be included in a future update. Clicking the 'Update' button will take you through a step-by-step process.