Noroi: The Curse is a 2005 Japanese found footage horror film directed by Kōji Shiraishi. The film follows the investigation of a paranormal journalist named Masafumi Kobayashi as he uncovers a chilling curse that haunts people who come into contact with it. The film has received widespread critical acclaim and has been praised for its suspenseful storytelling, creepy atmosphere, and effective use of found footage techniques. It has become a cult classic among horror fans and is often cited as one of the scariest films ever made. The main plot revolves around Kobayashi's investigation into a curse called "Noroi," which is said to involve a demon named Kagutaba. As Kobayashi delves deeper into the mystery, he uncovers a series of disturbing events and encounters with paranormal phenomena.
I don’t normally give ratings as I appreciate watching films is a subjective experience, but if I did Midsommar would get 100%. In my humble opinion this movie is perfect. Hereditary might be a more unsettling experience, but for storytelling, worldbuilding, character and subtext, I can’t think of a better movie in recent years than Midsommar.
It s one of the best bad trips I ve ever experienced and I ve had my fair share and it s a fine performance from Dani played by Florence Pugh and others in the film. Reluctantly deciding against a third viewing of Midsommar, I instead opted for another Joko Anwar film Joko Anwar being the writer director of Impetigore.
As Kobayashi delves deeper into the mystery, he uncovers a series of disturbing events and encounters with paranormal phenomena. As the curse spreads, more and more people become affected, leading to a horrifying climax. One of the film's strengths is its realistic and immersive found footage style.
Evil Eye Horror Film Reviews: Impetigore, Midsommar, Satan’s Slaves and Noroi: The Curse
Simon Alderwick watches and shares his thoughts on the gruesome pick and mix of horror movies available on Shudder and beyond. This week he looks at Impetigore, Midsommar, Satan’s Slaves and Noroi: The Curse.
Impetigore (2019) is one hell of a fine Indonesian horror from writer/director Joko Anwar. The opening scene sees a toll booth worker attacked by a stalker wielding a machete. Surviving the attack she delves into her family history, discovering a dark curse. What follows is an awesomely creepy and gruesome supernatural horror which pushes the boundaries of gore but does it well, embracing themes of superstition, black magik and the occult whilst not shying away from confronting modern fears head on. Guaranteed to get your heart racing and leave you buzzing long after the ironically mellow final credits.
Fairytale inspired with a Fargoesque opening sequence, Midsommar (2019) is a totally different beast to writer/director Ari Aster’s previous masterpiece Heredity.
To be honest, I only watched this film so I could enter a poem for The Daily Drunk’s Midsommar anthology (closing end of May) so I’ll save my best lines for the poem.
What I will say is I’m completely in love with this movie. It’s one of the best bad trips I’ve ever experienced (and I’ve had my fair share) and it’s a fine performance from Dani (played by Florence Pugh) and others in the film.
I don’t normally give ratings as I appreciate watching films is a subjective experience, but if I did Midsommar would get 100%. In my humble opinion this movie is perfect. Hereditary might be a more unsettling experience, but for storytelling, worldbuilding, character and subtext, I can’t think of a better movie in recent years than Midsommar.
I had to give it a second viewing, and it held up well 24 hours later. Worth a repeat visit to see how the entire story is laid out on the walls of the commune and how each character’s fate is foreshadowed throughout. The second viewing really cements this movie into my mind as one of my all time favourite films. Now I just need to write a poem worthy of it.
Reluctantly deciding against a third viewing of Midsommar, I instead opted for another Joko Anwar film (Joko Anwar being the writer/director of Impetigore). Satan’s Slaves (2017) is, I believe, the highest grossing horror film of all time in its home country, Indonesia. A loose remake/prequel of a cult 1980s film of the same name, the film stars Tara Basro (who also stars in Impetigore) alongside a mismatch of relatives and seemingly random acquaintances in a middle of the road haunted house/ghost story. Overly reliant on jump scares that don’t quite do the job, what story there is unfolds in a clumsy manner. It’s still an OK way to spend an afternoon or evening but after Impetigore I had high expectations which weren’t quite delivered.
Flying over to Japan for 2005 found footage film Noroi: The Curse. This is a film for fans of VHS and Windows 95. Plenty of late 90s nostalgia and shaky video footage compliment a bizarre mystery involving psychic kids, ectoplasmic worms and pigeons. I found this film too long and very repetitive and lost interest half way through as not enough discoveries were being made – just new confusion piled on top of earlier confusion – but stuck with it in the hope that the ending would be “burnt into my brain” like the good people on Rotten Tomatoes promise. The ending does have some punch but is totally predictable and, like the rest of the film, all over the place. If this movie had been edited down to about 90 minutes it could have been great. As it is, it’s definitely unique but felt dated and over explained.
Simon Alderwick is a poet and songwriter from the UK. His work is featured or forthcoming in Whatever Keeps The Light On, Re-side and the Squiffy Gnu anthology, among others. Follow him on Twitter @SimonAlderwick.
What I will say is I’m completely in love with this movie. It’s one of the best bad trips I’ve ever experienced (and I’ve had my fair share) and it’s a fine performance from Dani (played by Florence Pugh) and others in the film.
The audience is made to feel like they are watching real footage captured by Kobayashi during his investigation. This adds to the sense of dread and suspense, as the events unfold in a seemingly raw and unedited manner. The film also excels in building tension and creating a sense of unease. The subtle use of sound design and cleverly crafted visuals contribute to the overall creepy atmosphere. The slow and deliberate pacing allows the horror to gradually unravel, creating an immersive and terrifying experience for the audience. Noroi: The Curse has been lauded for its originality and innovative storytelling. The film combines elements of the supernatural, mystery, and psychological horror genres to deliver a unique and chilling narrative. It involves multiple plot threads and incorporates various media formats such as interviews, news reports, and surveillance footage to piece together the puzzle. In addition to its effective horror elements, the film is also praised for its strong performances. The cast delivers convincing portrayals of their characters, adding depth and credibility to the story. Lead actor Jin Muraki's performance as Kobayashi is particularly noteworthy, as he convincingly conveys the character's transformation from a skeptical journalist to a desperate and terrified investigator. Overall, Noroi: The Curse is a standout horror film that has earned its reputation as a modern classic. It effectively combines found footage techniques, immersive storytelling, and chilling atmosphere to create a truly terrifying experience. Its innovative narrative and strong performances make it a must-watch for fans of the genre..
Reviews for "Noroi the Curse: From Rotten to Resurrection."
1. John - 2/5 - I was really excited to watch "Noroi the Curse" based on the high ratings and positive reviews. However, I was left sorely disappointed. The movie had a very slow pace and lacked any real scares. The found footage style was jarring and confusing, making it difficult to follow the plot. Overall, I found it to be a tedious and underwhelming horror movie.
2. Sarah - 1/5 - "Noroi the Curse" was a complete waste of time. The storyline was all over the place and failed to engage me in any way. The characters were one-dimensional and unlikable, making it hard to care about their fates. The scares were predictable and lacking in any real creativity. I would not recommend this movie to anyone looking for a good horror film.
3. Mike - 2.5/5 - I tried to get into "Noroi the Curse," but it just didn't click for me. The buildup was too slow, and by the time things started to get interesting, I had lost interest. The found footage style felt overused and tired, and the scares were mostly jump scares that failed to leave a lasting impact. Overall, it was a forgettable movie that didn't live up to the hype.
4. Emily - 2/5 - I had high expectations for "Noroi the Curse" based on all the positive reviews, but I found myself disappointed. The plot was convoluted and hard to follow, and the pacing was off. The found footage format felt gimmicky and contributed to the confusion. While there were a few creepy moments, they were overshadowed by a lackluster story. I wouldn't consider this a must-watch for any horror fan.