The Grudge (2004)

Director:

Takashi Shimizu

Writers (WGA):

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

Release Date:

22 October 2004 (USA)

Genre:

Horror | Mystery

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:

Curse | American | Japan | Rage | Nurse

Awards:

3 wins & 7 nominations

Cast

Sarah Michelle Gellar	...	Karen
Jason Behr	...	Doug
William Mapother	...	Matthew
Clea DuVall	...	Jennifer
KaDee Strickland	...	Susan
Grace Zabriskie	...	Emma
Bill Pullman	...	Peter
Rosa Blasi	...	Maria
Ted Raimi	...	Alex
Ryo Ishibashi	...	Nakagawa
Yôko Maki	...	Yoko
Yuya Ozeki	...	Toshio
Takako Fuji	...	Kayako
Takashi Matsuyama	...	Takeo
Hiroshi Matsunaga	...	Igarashi
Hajime Okayama	...	Suzuki
Yoshiyuki Morishita	...	Guard
Kazuyuki Tsumura	...	Peter's Co-Worker
Taigi Kobayashi	...	Policeman
Junko Koizumi	...	Mother
Nana Koizumi	...	Daughter
Yôichi Okamura	...	Restaurant Manager (as Yoichi Okamura)
Eiji Ôki	...	Morgue Detective (as Eiji Oki)
Katsuhiro Oyama	...	Morgue Doctor

Directed by
Takashi Shimizu

Writing credits (WGA)
Stephen Susco		(screenplay)
Takashi Shimizu		(film "Ju-On: The Grudge")

Produced by
Doug Davison	....	executive producer
Joseph Drake	....	executive producer (as Joe Drake)
Satoshi Fukushima	....	line producer
Aubrey Henderson	....	co-producer
Takashige Ichise	....	producer (as Taka Ichise)
Nathan Kahane	....	executive producer
Michael Kirk	....	co-producer
Roy Lee	....	executive producer
Carsten H.W. Lorenz	....	executive producer (as Carsten Lorenz)
Ray Quinlan	....	line producer (as Raymond Quinlan)
Sam Raimi	....	producer
Shintaro Shimosawa	....	co-producer
Robert G. Tapert	....	producer (as Rob Tapert)

Original Music by
Christopher Young

Cinematography by
Hideo Yamamoto

Film Editing by
Jeff Betancourt

Casting by
Nancy Nayor		(as Nancy Nayor Battino)
Kelly Wagner

Production Design by
Iwao Saitô

Art Direction by
Kyôko Yauchi		(as Kyoko Yauchi)

Costume Design by
Shawn Holly Cookson
Miyuki Taniguchi

Makeup Department
Dianne Ensor	....	assistant makeup artist
Masaaki Fukuda	....	assistant special effects makeup
Akiko Kawano	....	assistant makeup artist
Veronica Lorenz	....	makeup artist: Sarah Michelle Gellar, U.S. reshoots
Yûichi Matsui	....	special makeup effects artist (as Yuichi Matsui)
Fumihiro Miyoshi	....	assistant special effects makeup
Sachie Munemura	....	makeup artist
Jane O'Kane	....	makeup artist
Miyuki Yamaguchi	....	assistant special effects makeup
Keiko Wedding	....	assistant makeup artist (uncredited)

Production Management
Shannon Gaulding	....	executive in charge of production
Ed Licht	....	production supervisor
Jack Schuster	....	post-production supervisor

Second Unit Director or Assistant Director
Masanori Adachi	....	first assistant director
Hiroshi Chono	....	first assistant director: additional photography
Chikara Higami	....	second assistant director
Makoto Meguro	....	third assistant director: additional photography
Toyohiro Miyata	....	third assistant director
Jun Shiozaki	....	third assistant director
Takeo Sugawara	....	second assistant director: addditional photography
Amy Wilkins	....	second assistant director

Sound Department
Steven J. Berger	....	assistant sound
Gloria D'Alessandro	....	dialogue editor
Ken Dufva	....	foley artist
Michael J. Fox	....	adr mixer
Richard C. Franklin	....	sound effects editor (as Rick Franklin)
Marti D. Humphrey	....	sound re-recording mixer
Chris M. Jacobson	....	sound re-recording mixer: director's cut
Ryan Juggler	....	adr editor
Ai-Ling Lee	....	sound effects editor
Howard London	....	adr mixer
Darrin Mann	....	foley mixer
Paul N.J. Ottosson	....	sound designer
Paul N.J. Ottosson	....	supervising sound editor
Carin Rogers	....	supervising adr editor
Carin Rogers	....	supervising dialogue editor
Joan Rowe	....	foley artist
Sean Rowe	....	foley artist
Kelly Vandever	....	sound re-recording mixer

Special Effects by
Shûichi Kishiura	....	special effects supervisor
Yoshitaka Makigi	....	special effects assistant
Atsuko Murata	....	special effects assistant
Keiichi Nishioka	....	special effects assistant

Visual Effects by
Akemi Abe	....	main titles
Jonathan Block	....	title animation
Francisco Chaigneau	....	digital effects artist
Toyokazu Hashimoto	....	3D artist: Big X
Andrew Heimbold	....	animator: Reality Check Studios
Steven Heimbold	....	animator: Reality Check Studios
Nobuya Ishida	....	2D artist: Big X
Kory Jones	....	visual effects supervisor: Reality Check Studios
Aaron Kaminar	....	lead animator: Reality Check Studios
Danny Martinez	....	visual effects producer: Reality Check Studios
Hajime Matsumoto	....	digital visual effects supervisor: Big X
Josh Novak	....	lead compositor: main title sequence
Shigenori Ohno	....	3D artist: Big X
Masaki Sasae	....	2D artist: Big X
Nobuaki Sugiki	....	assistant digital visual effects supervisor: Big X
Yoshiko Takekuma	....	3D artist: Big X
Takeshi Yamaguchi	....	compositor
One Danny Yoon	....	digital compositor
Naoyasu Yutaka	....	assistant digital visual effects supervisor: Big X
Tomoya Ôhata	....	2D artist: Big X (as Tomoya Ohhata)

Stunts
Jennifer M. Barr	....	stunt stand-in
Shunsuke Gondo	....	stunt double
Kaori Ichijô	....	stunt double
Hideo Saito	....	stunt coordinator
Nobu Sakashita	....	stunt double (uncredited)

Camera and Electrical Department
Lukas Ettlin	....	additional cinematographer
Noriyuki Mizuguchi	....	director of photography: additional photography
Takashi Seida	....	still photographer

Casting Department
David Bernad	....	casting assistant
Jennifer Rudolph	....	casting: New York

Editorial Department
Joe Fineman	....	post-production consultant
Yoshie Ishiguro	....	first assistant editor
Mato	....	color timer
Kevin Soares	....	second assistant editor
Anthony Motta	....	telecine assistant (uncredited)

Music Department
Max Blomgren	....	synthesizer programmer
Robert Fernandez	....	recording engineer
Robert Fernandez	....	scoring mixer
Simon James	....	music contractor
Tiff Jimber	....	vocalist
Tiff Jimber	....	voice
Sean McMahon	....	orchestrator
Thomas Milano	....	music editor
Sujin Nam	....	orchestrator
Sujin Nam	....	score coordinator
Jonathan Price	....	synthesizer programmer
Robert Puff	....	music preparation
David G. Russell	....	synthesizer programmer (as David Russell)
Aldo Shllaku	....	assistant to composer
Martin St. Pierre	....	orchestrator
Martin St. Pierre	....	score coordinator (as Martin St.Pierre)
Brian Valentino	....	assistant recording engineer
Gordon Wimpress	....	score coordinator
Selena Arizanovic	....	music assistant (uncredited)
Scott Glasgow	....	score coordinator (uncredited)
Sean McMahon	....	score coordinator (uncredited)
Flavio Motalla	....	score producer (uncredited)
Melissa Orquiza	....	music preparation (uncredited)
Michael Pelavin	....	score coordinator (uncredited)

Other crew
Akemi Abe	....	end titles
Tobin Adams	....	production coordinator
Jennifer M. Barr	....	stand-in: Sara Michelle Geller
Sue Binder	....	assistant: Mr. Tapert
Max Blomgren	....	synthesizer programmer
Jennifer Y. Craig	....	production assistant
Miyuki Dawson	....	assistant: Mr. Shimizu
Tom Fish	....	body double: Jason Behr
Jessica Franks	....	production assistant: re-shoots
Joey Cruz Manalang	....	cast liaison
Rob McEntegart	....	executive vice president, business affairs: Mandate Pictures
Matthew Milam	....	assistant: Mr. Kahane
Tomoko Miyachi	....	production coordinator
Harue Miyake	....	assistant: Mr. Fukushima
Maureen Mottram	....	production accountant
Sean Muramatsu	....	dialogue coach
Atsushi Naito	....	legal service
Kazumi Nakamura	....	adr voice
Natsuko Nezu	....	production accountant
David Pollison	....	office assistant: Renaissance Pictures
Jonathan Price	....	synthesizer programmer
Patricia Rivera	....	assistant: Mr. Drake
Miyuki Sakaitani	....	production coordinator: Japan
Akiko Shima	....	adr voice
Kazuko Shingyoku	....	production coordinator: Japan
Kazuko Shingyoku	....	script supervisor: additional photography
Hiroko Stanhope	....	assistant: Taka Ichise
Cid Swank	....	unit publicist
Hiroki Taniguchi	....	production assistant
Kathleen Thomas	....	script supervisor
Dina Valenzuela	....	production accountant
Irene Yeung	....	assistant: Mr. Lee and Mr. Davison
J.R. Young	....	assistant: Mr. Raimi

Thanks
Brendan Garst	....	special thanks
Nathan L. Smith	....	special thanks

Production Companies

• Columbia Pictures (presents)
• Ghost House Pictures (production)
• Fellah Pictures (uncredited)
• Senator International (uncredited)
• Vertigo Entertainment (uncredited)

Distributors

• Sony Pictures Entertainment (SPE) (2004) (USA) (all media)
• Senator International (2004) (non-USA) (all media) (sales)
• International Film Distribution Consultants (2004) (Non-USA) (theatrical)
• Columbia Pictures (2004) (USA) (theatrical)
• AQS (2005) (Czech Republic) (theatrical)
• Bioscop (2005) (Czech Republic) (theatrical)
• Columbia TriStar Nordisk Film Distributors (2005) (Finland) (theatrical)
• Constantin Film (2005) (Germany) (theatrical)
• Distribution Company (2005) (Argentina) (theatrical)
• Golden Village (2004) (Singapore) (theatrical)
• Herald Film Company (2005) (Japan) (theatrical)
• Independent Films (2005) (Netherlands) (theatrical)
• LNK Audiovisuais (2005) (Portugal) (theatrical)
• Metropolitan Filmexport (2004) (France) (theatrical)
• Monopole-Pathé (2004) (Switzerland) (theatrical)
• Nu Metro Productions (200?) (South Africa) (theatrical)
• Panasia Films (2004) (Hong Kong) (theatrical)
• Pioneer Films (2004) (Philippines) (theatrical)
• Roadshow Entertainment (2004) (Australia) (theatrical)
• Sam Film (2004) (Iceland) (theatrical)
• United International Pictures (UIP) (2004) (UK) (theatrical)
• United International Pictures (UIP) (2004) (Ireland) (theatrical)
• Village Roadshow Entertainment (2004) (Australia) (theatrical)
• 01 Distribuzione (2004) (Italy) (all media)
• Columbia TriStar Italia (2004) (Italy) (all media)
• DeA Planeta Home Entertainment (2004) (Spain) (all media)
• Dutch FilmWorks (DFW) (2005) (Netherlands) (DVD)
• Dutch FilmWorks (DFW) (2005) (Netherlands) (VHS)
• Dutch FilmWorks (DFW) (2008) (Netherlands) (DVD) (Blu-ray)
• Europa Filmes (2005) (Brazil) (DVD)
• Europa Filmes (2005) (Brazil) (VHS)
• Excesso Entertainment (2013) (Netherlands) (DVD) (Blu-ray) (double feature with "The Grudge 2")
• Excesso Entertainment (2013) (Netherlands) (DVD) (double feature with "The Grudge 2")
• Gativideo (2005) (Argentina) (DVD)
• Gativideo (2005) (Argentina) (VHS)
• Highlight Film (2005) (Germany) (DVD)
• Hollydan Works (2005) (Yugoslavia) (DVD)
• Medyavizyon (2004) (Turkey) (all media)
• Nordisk Film (2005) (Finland) (DVD) (VHS)
• Nordisk Film (2005) (Sweden) (all media)
• Sony Pictures Home Entertainment (2005) (Canada) (DVD)
• Sony Pictures Home Entertainment (2005) (USA) (DVD)
• Sony Pictures Home Entertainment (2009) (USA) (DVD) (Blu-ray)
• Tien (2007) (Netherlands) (TV)

Special Effects

• Big X (digital visual effects)
• Reality Check Studios (additional visual effects)
• Pacific Title (opticals)
• Big X
• Reality Check Studios

Other Companies

• Bastyr University Chapel  music recorded at
• Dolby Laboratories  sound post-production
• Film Finances  completion guarantor
• JR Media Services  negative cutting
• Monkeyland Audio  re-recording mixing
• NAC Image Technology  camera equipment supplied by
• Nihon Shomei Co.  lighting equipment supplied by
• Northwest Sinfonia  music performed by
• OS Productions  thanks
• Pacific Title  opticals
• Picture Mill, The  main and end titles designed by (as The Picture Mill)
• Pivotal Post  Avid editing equipment provided by
• Robert Puff Music  music preparation
• Sony Pictures Studios  adr recorded at
• Toho Studios  thanks
• Varèse Sarabande  soundtrack published by

Also Known As:

MPAA:

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

Runtime:

92 min | South Korea:97 min (uncut version) | Japan:98 min

Country:

USA | Japan

Language:

English | Japanese

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Sound Mix:

DTS | Dolby Digital | SDDS

Certification:

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 | Malaysia:18SG | Iceland:16 | USA:PG-13 (certificate #40750) | Sweden:15 | South Korea:15 | New Zealand:R16 | Japan:PG-12

Filming Locations:

Aoyama, Tokyo, Japan

Company:

Columbia Pictures

Trivia:

According to the DVD commentary by the cast and crew, the first of appearance of the cat right when Karen picks up Kayako's journal was not in fact a real cat, but a fake cat held by a crew member, racing it in front of the camera.

Goofs:

Continuity: When Susan leaves her apartment when Matthew rings the bell, the door slams shut behind her. When she turns around to go back inside, the door is open.

Quotes:

[first lines]
Maria:Good morning. Peter? Are you OK? You're up early today.

Movie Connections:

Featured in Under the Skin with Joseph LeDoux, Ph. d (2005) (V)

Just as good as the Japanese films (but with an ending rant against remakes of foreign films)

Karen (Sarah Michelle Gellar), an exchange student in Japan who is just beginning to do some social work, is sent to aid an elderly semi-catatonic woman, Emma (Grace Zabriskie), after her previous caretaker, Yoko (Yoko Maki), disappears. Karen soon learns that something is not right in Emma's home, and she attempts to "see how deep the rabbit hole goes".

Maybe it's a delayed influence from the success of M. Night Shyamalan's films, but slower-paced, understated horror films are a recent trend. In some cases, such as Hide and Seek (2005), the approach works remarkably well, and in others, such as White Noise (2005), the pacing tends to kill the film. I didn't like The Grudge quite as much as Hide and Seek, but this is still a very good film--it earns a 9 out of 10 from me.

The Grudge has a couple significant differences from other recent examples of that trend, however. One, it is well known that this is a remake based on the Japanese film series that began with Ju-On (2000) (in particular, it's extremely close to the first half of Ju-On: The Grudge, aka Ju-On 3, from 2003). Two, as with many Japanese horror films, the slower pacing here isn't so much in the realm of realist drama as with surrealism. As is also the case with a large percentage of European horror, The Grudge should be looked at more as a filmed nightmare.

Director Takashi Shimizu, also the director of the five Japanese entries in the Ju-On series to date (the fifth is currently in production), and writer Stephen Susco have largely dispensed with linearity and are not overly concerned with logic or plot holes when it comes to the horror behind the story. The idea instead is to present a dreamlike sequence of scenes, with dream logic, where the focus is atmosphere, creepiness, the uncanny, and for many viewers--scares. How well the film works for you will largely depend on how well you can adapt yourself to, or are used to, this different approach to film-making (although admittedly, some of the seeming gaps are filled in by previous entries in the Ju-On series). Traditionally, American audiences consider as flaws leaving plot threads hanging and abandoning "rules" for the "monster". A more poetic, metaphorical, surreal approach to film isn't yet accepted by the mainstream in the U.S.

However, even if you're not used to it, it's worth trying to suspend your normal preconceptions about films and give The Grudge a shot. This is a well written, well directed, well acted film, filled with unusual properties, such as the story interweaving a large number of "main characters" (which is done better here than the more episodic Ju-On 3), good cinematography, subtle production design touches (check out Gellar's clothes, which match the color and texture of the exterior of Emma's house, when Gellar first approaches), and beautifully effective horror material.

Even though it is more slowly paced that your average horror film of the past, the pacing usually enhances the eeriness, and there is no shortage of bizarre events to keep horror fans entertained. The supernatural premise of the film is absorbing, and based on interviews on the DVD with Shimizu, have prodded me to pay more attention to Japanese beliefs and folklore. Although the most interesting subtexts would probably arise with a more intimate knowledge of Japanese culture, it's interesting to ponder why so many Japanese horror films feature scary children and adults who look like scary children.

I subtracted one point for the film slightly veering into clichéd mystery/thriller territory with a "here's what really happened" flashback, but even that was fairly well done, and otherwise, this would have been a 10 out of 10.

Now that I've said all of the above, let me finish with a mini-rant: It's not that I'm anti-remake, but it is ridiculous that U.S. distributors and studios feel that we need remakes of foreign films to make them appropriate for consumption. The original versions of these films should just be playing in U.S. theaters in wide release. There is no need to present an almost identical film but just substituting white American actors for non-white or foreign actors. Yes, The Grudge is a fine film, but ultimately, I'd rather see something original using this talent, and be treated to the latest foreign horror films--not just Japanese, but also Indian, Spanish, Chinese, etc.--at my multiplex. In the hope that someone with some pull at the studios reads this, it is also more cost-effective to do this, as (1) you can completely avoid production costs, and simply make domestic distribution deals from which you receive profit, and (2) you can make money off of fans like myself who otherwise pick up the foreign film DVDs in foreign manufactured or even bootleg versions.