Ju-on

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Movie: Ju-on: The Curse aka Ju-on
Romaji:
Japanese: 呪怨
Director: Takashi Shimizu
Writer: Takashi Shimizu
Producer:
Cinematography:
Release Date: February 11. 2000
Runtime: 89 min
Language: Japanese
Country: Japan

Plot

“Ju-On: The Curse” is comprised of six vignettes. Each one centers around a different character, but the timeline between episodes is not always chronological. There is always some kind of connection between them, however, and this makes the film work on a deeper level. It’s not quite as common-sense as “Momento,” but that only adds to the replay value.

The first episode, “Toshio,” will be recognizable to those who have seen “The Grudge.” It tells the story of a teacher who visits the home of a little boy who has been absent from school. While there, he discovers that the house may be haunted. While the American remake has very little interaction between this teacher and other characters, “The Curse,”in one of the most difficult scenes to watch, displays a disturbing connection between him and another, surprising, person.

Other vignettes revolve around the house and those who live or visit there. Some are similar to scenes in the remake while others, such as a scene revolving around a character who is terrified of cats, will seem unusual to some Westerners unfamiliar with Japanese superstitions (And speaking of our feline-fearing friend, if you thought the first couple of minutes in the attic during “The Grudge” were scary, wait until you see this expanded version of the intro scene. It’s worse. Much worse.).

The main difference between this film and “The Grudge” is one of quality: “Ju-On: The Curse” was shot directly on video. It is filmed as if it were a theatrical release (meaning there’s no jumpy “Blair Witch” action here), but the stark quality of the images makes it more visceral and accessible than any other of the other films in the series. The sharp camera work adds a voyeuristic quality that only adds to the creepiness of the film. -- Horrorwatch

Notes

The original 2000 "Ju-on" and its 2000 "Ju-on 2" sequel were direct-to-video releases that became a surprise hit in Japan.
In 2003, director Takashi Shimizu along with mentor Kiyoshi Kurosawa released theatrical versions titled Ju-on: The Grudge and Ju-on: The Grudge 2.
That same year, 2003, rights were sold to film a U.S. remake of Ju-on: The Grudge.
Related titles:
1. Ju-on (2000)
2. Ju-on 2 (2000)
3. Ju-on: The Grudge (2003)
4. Ju-on: The Grudge 2 (2003)
5. The Grudge: Girl in Black | Ju-on: Kuroi Shoujo (2009)
6. The Grudge: Old Lady in White | Ju-on: Shiroi Roujo (2009)

Cast

Yurei Yanagi - Shunsuke Kobayashi, Toshio's Schoolteacher
Chiaki Kuriyama - Mizuho Tamura
Hitomi Miwa - Yuki
Asumi Miwa - Kanna Murakami
Yoriko Douguchi - Nakamura
Taro Suwa - Kamio
Yuue - Manami Kobayashi
Takako Fuji - Kayako Saeki, Takeo's Wife / Toshio's Mother / The Ghost
Takashi Matsuyama - Takeo Saeki / Kayako's Husband / Toshio's Father
Yumi Yoshiyuki - Noriko Murakami
Denden - Yoshikawa, Police Detective
Reita Serizawa - Iizuka
Ryota Koyama - Toshio Saeki, Kayako & Takeo's Son / Shunsuke's Student
Kazushi Ando - Tsuyoshi Murakami
Yuuko Daike - Kyoko Suzuki, Tatsuya's Sister
Shiro Namiki

Comments

Comment #1
ButterflyJoe Says:
May 06 2010 4:21 pm

Don't watch The Grudge you're way better of watching the excellent and very creepy Ju-On, you won't be dissapointed.