Sadako vs. Kayako (2016)

The vengeful spirits of the Ring and Grudge series face off.

Director:

Kôji Shiraishi

Writers:

Takashi Shimizu (characters), Kôji Suzuki (characters)

Stars:

Mizuki Yamamoto, Tina Tamashiro, Aimi Satsukawa

Cast

Credited cast:
Mizuki Yamamoto	...	Yuri Kurahashi
Tina Tamashiro	...	Suzuka Takagi
Aimi Satsukawa	...	Natsumi Ueno
Misato Tanaka	...	Ayako Takagi
Masahiro Kômoto	...	Shin'ichi Morishige
Masanobu Andô	...	Spiritual Medium Kyozo
Rest of cast listed alphabetically:
Ichiruko Dômen	...	Horyuu
Runa Endo	...	Kayako Saeki
Maiko Kikuchi	...	Tamao
Masayoshi Matsushima	...	Sukeru Takagi
Elly Nanami	...	Sadako Yamamura
Rintaro Shibamoto	...	Toshio Saeki

Storyline

The vengeful spirits of the Ring and Grudge series face off.

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Plot Keywords:

shared universe | 

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Genres:

Horror

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Certificate:

Not Rated

Details

Official Sites:

Official site [Japan]

Country:

Japan

Language:

Japanese

Release Date:

18 June 2016 (Japan)

Also Known As:

Sadako v Kayako

Box Office

Cumulative Worldwide Gross:

$8,992,523

Company Credits

Production Co:

Kadokawa,NBCUniversal Entertainment

Technical Specs

Runtime:

98 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital Dolby Atmos Dolby Surround 7.1

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Rintaro Shibamoto is the seventh actor to portray Kayako's ghost child Toshio Saeki after Ryota Koyama (Ju-on: The Curse (2000) and Ju-on: The Curse 2 (2000)), Yuya Ozeki (Ju-on: The Grudge (2003), Ju-on: The Grudge 2 (2003), and The Grudge (2004)), Ohga Tanaka (The Grudge 2 (2006)), Shimba Tsuchiya (The Grudge 3 (2009)), and Kai Kobayashi (Ju-on: The Beginning of the End (2014) and Ju-on: The Final (2015)).

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Crazy Credits

At the very end of the credits, an updated version of Sadako's videotape is shown.

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Connections

Follows Ringu 0 (2000)

User Reviews

A sporadic mix of surprisingly decent thrill and unintentionally comedic burst.

What may sound like something from internet prank proves to be a better enjoyment than just random sequel or its ridiculously sounding premise. Both franchises are passed their prime with each latest entry performing abysmally. While it does possesses an array of issues, the good timing on some scenes and better characters make "Sadako vs Kayako" a more compelling horror than their own separate haunting.

The movie works by putting two curses simultaneously. Sadako has slightly more portion as the Cursed Video is highlighted more, especially in the beginning. As one curse progresses the Kayako or Haunted Hause is slowly tossed into the mix. Characters from Cursed Video are far more memorable than perhaps its latest two or three entries combined. Yuri as the lead and the two enigmatic exorcists make for an interesting cast.

Suzuka is a more standalone character as she struggles with the Haunted House primarily by herself, the supporting characters from her side are fleeting at best. However, Suzuka still has a good presence, especially when the curses collide. These personalities have a slight edge compared to typical Japanese horror protagonists, ranging from the signature clothes, hairdo o realistic or optimistic nature, which might not seem extraordinary, but this goes a long way on setting the dynamic.

Sadly, the initial corniness happens in several instances. It can be sudden twist on certain scene or choppy progression, either way this might ruin the mood already set by curse development. There are two or three scenes that are might take audience on really dark places, but these are not original by any means, and other than those, the rest are shaky on the horror.

On the few that actually work, it compresses the classic attraction of the franchises, brief they may be. For a movie originated from a strange concept, "Sadako vs Kayako" has more in store than just internet meme or sensational title, it delivers a better cast and scare than combination of both franchises' latest titles, but it's still marred by hectic and sloppy delivery to be a fully functioning horror.