Ju-on (2002)

Rika Nashina, a volunteer social assistant, arrives at a home where she is assigned to visit an elderly woman. But she soon discovers that this is no ordinary house call. The home is haunted by the ghost of a woman called Kayako, and her young son Toshio, who were brutally murdered by Kayako's husband. Now it seems that nobody who comes in contact with the house is safe.

Ju-on is better known to North American audiences as The Grudge, which is the title of the 2004 American remake of the film. It serves up a good number of jumps and a seriously creepy over-all atmosphere. It is not a surprise that this film was amongst the many from Asia that have been snatched up and remade over the past ten years.

Despite being subtitled you can tell that not all of the acting is particularly stellar. Nor is there anything necessarily amazing about any of the make up or effects. It's the story itself, and the way it is played out, that makes the film successful. If you've seen The Grudge and liked it, it's well worth checking out the original likewise if you are a fan of ghost movies in general.

3.5 black cats out of 5
Contains frightening scenes, violence.