The Grudge

Plot Summary

Karen Davis (Sarah Michelle Gellar) is an American studying in Tokyo to become a nurse. She also does social work, and when a Japanese student disappears, Karen is asked to fill-in by looking after an elderly American woman living nearby. Arriving at the house, Karen finds it in disarray. Papers and rubbish are strewn around each room. Her first concern is to attend to her patient and she then starts to tidy up. Karen starts to get a creepy feeling that things aren't right with the house. She hears noises from upstairs and goes to investigate! Karen finds herself caught up in a powerful evil curse that threatens to destroy everyone it encounters...

Review

This is a remake of the Japanese horror "Ju-on". Set in Tokyo, it is really a simple story of a haunted house but the spirits that live in this house are not the friendly Casper type. These are seriously evil spirits will a major grudge. Beatrix Kiddo the bride in Kill Bill thought she knew about a "roaring rampage of revenge" but she had nothing on these guys!

There are some major flaws in this movie but taking a look at the good points first, it has to be said that there are some really tense and scary moments. I physically jumped a few times even though the music told me something was about to happen. The suspense and tension is maintained throughout the movie even if it does rely on clichés like creaky floorboards, scary attic rooms and creepy phone calls. Some people will be watching this through their fingers!

On the down side there isn't really much of a story. There is a bit of an attempt to give some history to the house and events that lead to the spawning of the curse but it's all a bit flimsy. This isn't helped by the fact that little effort is made to develop the characters. Some of the characters are only around for a short time before meeting a grisly end and others who have bigger parts are underused. Even in regard to the main character, Karen, played by Sarah Michelle Gellar it is difficult to be concerned what happens to her.

The Bottom Line: If you want frights and jumps this creepy movie will deliver but there isn't much to the story and the characters don't get much to do. There are many similarity to The Ring so if you enjoy that you should enjoy The Grudge. You might also like to check out What Lies Beneath, My Little Eye or Gothika.

Reviewed by Niall Quinn, Premier Movie Reviews 2004.

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Genre: Horror/Scary

Certificate: 15's

Director: Takashi Shimizu

~ Main Cast ~

Sarah Michelle Gellar

Jason Behr

KaDee Strickland

Bill Pullman

Ryo Ishibashi

Grace Zabriske

RATING

WORTH A WATCH