X
- 2004
- R
- Lionsgate Films
- 1 h 32 m
- 2004
- R
- Lionsgate Films
- 1 h 32 m
Summary Director/screenwriter Shimizu Takashi spins the tale of a family that is brutally killed in their own home, leaving behind an evil spirit burning with hatred. When an unknowing homecare worker enters the house, the spirit is awakened and a terrifying chain of events begins, passing through all those who set foot within its walls. (Lions...
Written By: Takashi Shimizu
- 2004
- R
- Lionsgate Films
- 1 h 32 m
- 2004
- R
- Lionsgate Films
- 1 h 32 m
Ju-on: The Grudge
48
7.1
Summary Director/screenwriter Shimizu Takashi spins the tale of a family that is brutally killed in their own home, leaving behind an evil spirit burning with hatred. When an unknowing homecare worker enters the house, the spirit is awakened and a terrifying chain of events begins, passing through all those who set foot within its walls. (Lions...
Written By: Takashi Shimizu
Top Cast
Metascore
Mixed or Average
Based on 22 Critic Reviews
48
27% Positive
6 Reviews
6 Reviews
55% Mixed
12 Reviews
12 Reviews
18% Negative
4 Reviews
4 Reviews
Metascore
Mixed or Average
Based on 22 Critic Reviews
48
27% Positive
6 Reviews
6 Reviews
55% Mixed
12 Reviews
12 Reviews
18% Negative
4 Reviews
4 Reviews
Shimuzu sees darkened staircases and hears the rustle of dead autumn leaves and reacts as if from the devil’s own haiku. And his dread is catching.
At least as perplexing as it is creepy, with a time-jumping narrative, a chain of barely connected characters and an enraged shape-shifting ghost.
User Score
Generally Favorable
Based on 46 User Ratings
7.1
72% Positive
33 Ratings
33 Ratings
22% Mixed
10 Ratings
10 Ratings
7% Negative
3 Ratings
3 Ratings
User Score
Generally Favorable
Based on 46 User Ratings
7.1
72% Positive
33 Ratings
33 Ratings
22% Mixed
10 Ratings
10 Ratings
7% Negative
3 Ratings
3 Ratings
True masterpiece and my personal favorite. There is something very unique about the way this movie makes you scared. A lot of people say that the story is bad , the characters are bad... But for this movie the story is completely irrelevant , it only serves as a decoration. One thing this movie is good at is scaring the **** out of you... I have watched it probably at least 20 times and it works everytime. Never gets old.
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Both too obvious and needlessly complicated, Ju-On juggles several non-chronological chapters based on different characters, ensuring that none of the corpses-to-be make much of an impression.
Divided into chapters, the film jumps around in time, which means that we get to observe Shimizu's utter failure to develop his characters from endless narrative angles.
This trifle is better approached as a suburban haunted-house attraction thrown by enthusiastically confused teenagers. It's a little bit eerie, completely disjointed and sporadically amusing--kind of like "Lost in Translation," but with wanton slaughter. Do not expect more.
It's creepy, all right. It's just that HOW it goes about creeping you out is sometimes just plain cheesy.
Its shapelessness and the cultural differences in acting style will keep this version filed under "cult oddity."
Es una de las películas mas aterradoras de todos los tiempos, la mejor en el ámbito asiático, es un verdadero clásico del horror, pero si no le pongo un 10 es porque no pienso que sea una película perfecta, el ritmo y la ambientación estuvieron muy bien pero la cohesión entre historia e historia la vuelven un poco confusa.
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To a Japanese audience, Ju-on may very well be regarded as a generic horror film. But, show it to people that are unaccustomed to and uneducated on the vast cultural differences of its home country, and you will instantly be able to affect them in a way that you couldn't within your own borders. The movie's very 'foreignness' is one of its biggest assets, aiding Westerners in feeling as if they are witnessing horrifying events, rather than being the subject of them. The plot is probably unnecessarily convoluted for what the story is, but all of the cryptic symbolism and subtle spiritual questioning inject the film with a purpose beyond the initial aim of scaring. Sound effects, editing, camera placement and direction are all at a superb level, adding up to something that an English-language remake could never have translated fully.
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Ju-On, during a first viewing, can seem a bit puzzling as to what is precisely going on. However, persevere with this chilling film. Though I personally find Ringu (The Ring) to be an overall better movie, this film keeps the spine-chill factor at a constant high, in comparison to The Ring's ebb and flow. Even some of the scenes which occur in broad daylight (particular the balcony and the new home owner) ooze creepiness. Yes, it's true, the acting can be a bit shoddy, but any lingering doubts on acting methods will soon dissipate when the scares arrive and you can be sure they'll be coming thick and fast. Considering the low-budget nature of the film - for the most part, make-up is about as advanced as it gets - I was amazed at the terrifying nature of the film. This is genuine horror. No sharp gloves or chainsaws here, just a brilliant array of scenes that encourages your mind to interpret, and largely generate, the scares.
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While I can't deny the fact that this is a very well crafted and atmospheric movie, I still feel like it didn't age all that well. The characters are bland, the story is confusing and the movie is unfortunately quite predictable at times. While it's definitely a classic that had a huge impact on the genre, it's not as good as it used to be.
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Production Company
Pioneer LDC,
Nikkatsu,
Oz Company,
Xanadeux
Release Date Jul 23, 2004
Duration 1 h 32 m
Rating R
Genres
Tagline When a grudge from the dead passes to the living - Who is safe?
Website
http://www.juonthegrudge.com/
Awards
Screamfest
• 1 Win & 1 Nomination
Academy of Science Fiction, Fantasy & Horror Films, USA
• 1 Nomination