The Grudge (2004)

Director:

Takashi Shimizu

Writers (WGA):

Takashi Shimizu (film Ju-On: The Grudge)
Stephen Susco (screenplay)

Release Date:

22 October 2004 (USA)

Genre:

Horror | Mystery | Thriller

Tagline:

It never forgives. It never forgets.

Plot:

An American nurse living and working in Tokyo is exposed to a mysterious supernatural curse, one that locks a person in a powerful rage before claiming their life and spreading to another victim.

Plot Keywords:

Stabbing | Supernatural Powers | Neck Breaking Scene | Neo Noir | Child Nudity

Awards:

1 win & 7 nominations

Cast

Sarah Michelle Gellar	...	Karen Davis
Jason Behr	...	Doug
William Mapother	...	Matthew Williams
Clea DuVall	...	Jennifer Williams
KaDee Strickland	...	Susan Williams
Grace Zabriskie	...	Emma Williams
Bill Pullman	...	Peter Kirk
Rosa Blasi	...	Maria Kirk
Ted Raimi	...	Alex
Ryo Ishibashi	...	Det. Nakagawa
Yoko Maki	...	Yoko
Yuya Ozeki	...	Toshio Saeki
Takako Fuji	...	Kayako Saeki
Takashi Matsuyama	...	Takeo Saeki
Hiroshi Matsunaga	...	Det. Igarashi

Also Known As:

Fluch, Der (Germany)
The Juon (Japan)
Untitled 'Ju-on: The Grudge' Remake (USA) (working title)

MPAA:

Rated PG-13 for mature thematic material, disturbing images/terror/violence, and some sensuality.

Runtime:

92 min | South Korea:97 min (uncut version)

Country:

Japan | USA | Germany

Language:

English | Japanese

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Sound Mix:

DTS | Dolby Digital | SDDS

Certification:

South Korea:15 | Sweden:15 | Iceland:16 | USA:PG-13 (certificate #40750) | New Zealand:R18 | Malaysia:18SG | Argentina:16 | Australia:M | Brazil:14 | Canada:13+ (Quebec) | Canada:14A (Alberta/British Columbia) | Canada:14 (Nova Scotia) | Canada:PG (Ontario) | Czech Republic:15 | Finland:K-15 | France:-12 | Germany:16 | Ireland:15PG (original rating) | Ireland:15 (video rating) | Italy:T | Norway:15 | Philippines:R-13 | Poland:18 | Portugal:M/16 | Singapore:PG | Switzerland:14 (canton of Geneva) | Switzerland:14 (canton of Vaud) | Switzerland:16 (canton of Zurich) | UK:15 | USA:Unrated (DVD rating) | Netherlands:16

Filming Locations:

Aoyama, Tokyo, Japan

Company:

Senator International

Trivia:

Selma Blair was the first choice for the lead role, which went to Sarah Michelle Gellar.

Goofs:

Crew or equipment visible: In the first scene with Yoko, you can clearly see a crew member in the background.

Quotes:

[first lines]

Movie Connections:

References Ringu 2 (1999)

Loses something

This movie definitely loses something in the translation. Unlike "The Ring" which equaled and even improved on the original story in some ways, this one just meanders along in an uninspired fashion.

The original Japanese film, "Ju-on", was pretty incoherent, mostly just a series of set pieces and great chills. The American version, directed by the same filmmaker, has done nothing towards clarifying the muddled story and, aside from the great opening sequences, is just a straight-forward recreation of the same suspenseful sequences that somehow don't play as well. I'd suggest renting the original instead.

5 out of 10.