Ju-on: The Curse is a 2000 Japanese horror film. It is directed by Takashi Shimizu and is the third installment in the Ju-on franchise. The film follows a series of interconnected characters who are all haunted by a curse originating from a house where a brutal murder took place. The curse brings forth vengeful spirits who terrorize anyone who enters the house or comes into contact with its inhabitants. The main idea of Ju-on: The Curse is the concept of a never-ending curse that transcends time and space. Unlike traditional horror films where the threat is defeated or resolved at the end, Ju-on presents a curse that continues to haunt its victims even after they leave the haunted house.
"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. (Source: AsianMediaWiki) Edit Translation
If you love the franchise or horror movies in general then you will hopefully love this movie, but it does have a few flaws that some may not be able to get past. It s so masterfully done, it attacks the ears in such a subtle yet painful way that even the slightest noise of the leafs or phone ring will startle you.
Unlike traditional horror films where the threat is defeated or resolved at the end, Ju-on presents a curse that continues to haunt its victims even after they leave the haunted house. This creates a sense of helplessness and impending doom for the characters, as they are unable to escape the grasp of the curse. One of the unique aspects of Ju-on: The Curse is its non-linear narrative structure.
Ju-on: The Curse (2000)
"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. (Source: AsianMediaWiki) Edit Translation
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- Country: Japan
- Type: Movie
- Release Date: Feb 11, 2000
- Duration: 1 hr. 29 min.
- Score: 7.3 (scored by 749 users)
- Ranked: #6915
- Popularity: #6000
- Content Rating: Not Yet Rated
- Watchers: 1,458
- Favorites: 0
Cast & Credits
Main Role Saeki Kayako Main Role Yuki Main Role Tamura Mizuho Support Role Murakami Kanna Support Role Nakamura Support RolePhotos
Reviews
Completed MonjaElisa 8 people found this review helpful Aug 28, 2011 Completed 1 Overall 9.0 Story 7.0 Acting/Cast 9.0 Music 8.0 Rewatch Value 8.0The Curse is a movie by the same person as the director of The Ring & One Missed Call.
as for the Re-Watch Value, Well to be quite honest this movie scared me half to death so I doubt I will be rewatching it to soon. As for the score I set, I added it from another persons view on it.
Its a good story, The Curse (also known as The Grudge) Takes place in different kind of scenarios. One of these, In the house where Toshio lives. A Teacher goes for a home visit to a student in his class, only to find that his mother isn't really present. The two of them decides to sit and wait for her to arrive. As the waiting happens weirds things start to happen as the Teacher is faced with his worst Nightmare. The Movie will come with unexpected Scares, Tears and a Horror not many other movies or shows have ever managed to reach up to..
If you'd like to watch the Curse, Watch it with a pillow..
The Actors were really good, In overall there was no cheezy characters.
The Music wasn't really all that, But by taking it into concideration The Curse is a Low Budget Movie, So as for this, It was pretty good..
The Movie isn't filmed like most films are. At first you won't even be able to recognize it as a real movie, But as it goes on the filming gets more intense as it gets filmed like a documentary would.
So Overall I would say, This is a really good movie. Not for the Faint Hearted though. Open a road towards your worst nightmares in The Curse, Who knows what you'll experience.
OVERALL: Ju-On was a very good movie. However, I will warn those who have watched the English version The Grudge - you may be somewhat underwhelmed. If you love the franchise or horror movies in general then you will (hopefully) love this movie, but it does have a few flaws that some may not be able to get past.
STORY: Honestly, this is in a way just another ghost film. So the story is not 100% new, there are other movies about ghosts and possessed or haunted homes. BUT this movie does unique things with the story, focusing on the connections between people and places, rather than focusing on a singular person or place in a static manner. Everything ties together and has reasoning, making it not only horror and suspense but a little bit of a mystery as well. There are six stories within this first installment and each are equally entertaining. the suspense is there though it is more subtle than it's later English language counterpart. The film was made in the early 2000's and shows its older age with overall video quality, certain camera angles, and clothing but those things do not distract from the movie.
ACTING: The acting is not superb, I do not remember anyone as a stand out award winning actor. However, no one was bad. The dialogue shows some dating at times, but that is just because of the age of the film. Some characters are immediately recognizable and others are less memorable. Everyone seemed to suit their roles just fine, and I did not grow tired of anyone or hate any of the performances.
MUSIC: There was not much music in this film to begin with. What little music that exists in the film is well placed and does not distract from or dilute any of the performances or scenes. The sound effects were not as well pronounced and obvious as with the newer versions (this could be because of the older quality or the understated qualities that build suspense, I personally think both cases are true). The sound effects are well placed and really were one of the creepiest aspects of the film.
REWATCH VALUE: This film is not that long, approximately one and a half hours. With the six "mini-stories" time quickly passes. The film was enjoyable and creepy as well. These could make it a very rewatchable movie or a movie one only watches very so often - it depends on personal taste. Some may be bored, others may be too scared, others may love it. I honestly would watch it again. Actually, I hope I can find a better quality on dvd to own!
The film is divided into several chapters, each focusing on a different character's encounter with the curse. The events unfold in a fragmented manner, jumping back and forth in time, which adds to the overall sense of confusion and disorientation. Furthermore, the film relies heavily on atmosphere and suspense rather than explicit gore or jump scares. The use of eerie sound design, dark lighting, and subtle hints of supernatural activity creates a sense of dread that is sustained throughout the film. This approach to horror places an emphasis on psychological terror rather than explicit violence. Ju-on: The Curse has been highly influential in the horror genre, spawning numerous sequels, remakes, and spin-offs. It popularized the J-Horror trend of the early 2000s, which focused on atmospheric horror and psychological thrillers. The film's unique narrative structure and emphasis on a never-ending curse have inspired countless other horror films in the years that followed. In conclusion, Ju-on: The Curse is a groundbreaking horror film that explores the concept of a never-ending curse and its devastating effects on its victims. Through its non-linear narrative structure, atmospheric suspense, and psychological terror, the film creates a truly haunting and memorable experience for viewers. Its influence on the horror genre cannot be overstated, solidifying its place as a classic in Japanese cinema..
Reviews for "Dissecting the Characterization in Juon: The Curse"
- John - 2/5 stars - I found "Juon the curse" to be extremely disappointing. The plot was confusing and hard to follow, and the scare factor just wasn't there. The jump scares were predictable and lacked any real impact. The characters were also very one-dimensional and uninteresting. Overall, I was bored throughout the entire movie and would not recommend it to anyone looking for a good horror film.
- Sarah - 1/5 stars - I was excited to watch "Juon the curse" based on all the positive reviews I had heard, but I was sorely disappointed. The film was slow-paced and dragged on for what felt like forever. The scares were few and far between, and when they did happen, they were underwhelming. The story was disjointed and didn't make much sense. I found myself not caring about any of the characters, and the ending left me feeling unsatisfied. I don't understand the hype surrounding this movie.
- Mike - 2/5 stars - "Juon the curse" felt like a generic, run-of-the-mill horror film. Nothing about it stood out or made it memorable. The scares were predictable and failed to create any real tension. The story was convoluted and hard to follow, and the characters were forgettable. I was hoping for a truly terrifying experience, but I was left feeling underwhelmed and let down. I wouldn't waste my time watching this movie again.
- Emily - 2/5 stars - I had high hopes for "Juon the curse" as I enjoy Japanese horror films, but this one didn't meet my expectations. The pacing was slow, and the storytelling was confusing. I found myself getting bored and disengaged from the film. The scares were lackluster, and I didn't find anything particularly frightening or unsettling. The movie failed to leave a lasting impression on me, and I wouldn't recommend it to others who are looking for a truly scary horror experience.