Ben and Jane, a pair of American newly-weds, move to Japan in pursuit of a job opportunity with a fashion photography company. During their trip, while driving late at night on a dark road in a forested area, they collide with a young woman and lose control of their car. But when they wake up, there is no sign of the woman or her body.
They arrive in Tokyo and move into their new suite. Ben begins his photography job and reconnects with old friends while Jane tries to settle in to their new home. But strange, ghostly blurs begin to show up in Ben's photographs and Jane, then Ben, begin to have disturbing visions and dreams. Jane comes to the frightening conclusion that they are being haunted by the ghost of the woman they hit on the road and she begins to research "spirit photography" in hope of finding answers. But her investigation only leads her closer to the increasingly disturbing truth behind the tormented spirit that is stalking her and her new husband.
Shutter is a truly haunting ghost film which will be enjoyed by fans of modern Asian horror films. That's because it is actually a remake of a Thai film by the same name. Some of the most frightening stuff out there over the past couple decades has been flowing out of Asia, and then being snapped up and remade in the United States. I look forward to the original, because this film was a good one.
This is a movie that does well in terms of suspense, plot development, and tonnes of "jump" moments. It even has a great ending. Without saying too much, it is disturbing, and then satisfying. A ghost film turned revenge film, the villain gets what's deserved. The ghost, Megumi, is scary. Think The Ring, or The Grudge; two more examples of fantastic scare fests pilfered through U.S. cultural imperialism. The only problem with this film is that once it gets going, it feels like we are seeing Megumi constantly, every few minutes, until it becomes common place and the fright value starts to weaken a bit. Still, check this one out.
4 spirit photos out of 5
Rated PG-13 for terror, disturbing images, sexual content and language
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