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Ju-on: The Grudge | Ju-on: The Grudge 2. Japan 2003. Directed by Takashi Shimizu.

Takashi Shimizu's remake of his two earlier films (Ju-on: The Curse and Ju-on: The Grudge) The Grudge went high in boxoffice, and what I've heard of it, it must have a reason. I might know one: it is allegedly so close to Ju-on: The Grudge that we outside U.S. are wondering, why in hell must Japanese director make a carbon copy of his film in English. That must be the cultural differences, so let's not get stuck with the subject.

In Tokyo suburb, one dark house is carrying a curse inside it. The owner committed suicide after he killed his wife, and the legend tells that the vengeful spirit lives in the house and kills every visitor. There's also one creepy side in the story : the 6-year old son of the killer vanished at the same time his mother was murdered .

Takashi Shimizu won't serve a script that has answers to every question, nor does he tell a straight story that has a start and ending. In other words, Ju-on : The Grudge can be seen as plotless movie. It really doesn't matter, when Shimizu gives the viewer a lot of creeps and chills with simple ways. There is no fancy CG effects here or gallons of blood - just plain ghost story where different people come to house with their own reason, to find out the there's no escape from the killing spirit. Ju-on : The Grudge is divided into segments which are not on the chronological order.

The sequel came out in same year as it predecessor and haven't been receiving too flattering reviews. This time there's a television production crew visiting the house and that is how the victims are connected to each other. Otherwise it is pretty much same-o fright fest with dark long hair hanging in front of ghosts face and that familiar creepy throat sound. But is this all unnecessary? No. I personally had to turn on the lights in my house so I could finish the movie. Shimizu does it again with skills that cover up any lack of unoriginality. Horror consumers are probably getting sick of Asian horror films after Ringu went into mainstream success, but as long as they are frightening as Ju-On: The Grudge and it's sequel, I am responsive.