Director: Hideo Nakata
Screenplay: Hiroshi Takahashi, based on the novel Ring by Koji Suzuki
Starring: Nanako Matsushima, Hiroyuki Sanada, Rikiya Otaka, Yoichi Numata
Running Time: 95 minutes
Genre: Horror
This film centers around an urban legend about a cursed videotape. Immediately after watching the tape, the viewer receives a telephone call informing them that they will die in seven days. Exactly seven days later, the unfortunate viewer mysteriously dies, their face contorted with horror.
Reporter Reiko Asakawa (Matsushima) is investigating the story of the video curse, when she watches the tape, thereby coming under the influence of the curse. Teaming up with her ex-husband (Sanada), Reiko goes in search of the origin of the curse and a way to break it before it's too late.
This hugely influential film, based on the best-selling horror novel by |Koji Suzuki, pretty much launched the genre of "J-horror" in the West. A lot of the hallmarks of the genre are here: pale specters with long lank hair and blending modern technology with traditional supernatural elements. During the late 90s Western horror was still in the post-Scream period with a lot of loud, gory, ironic slasher films, and the Japanese genre films that were making a splash in the West at were usually violent anime, or surreal, gory science-fiction such as Tetsuo: The Iron Man (1987). Ring however was quiet, restrained and very serious, so it really was a breath of fresh air, and it appealed not just to horror fans but also to fans of World Cinema in general. The film is really a mystery, focusing on the investigation into the tape. The main problem with the film is that a lot of information is revealed to the main characters in psychic flashes, that feels like a shortcut. However it is a genuinely atmospheric and creepy film, which creates a powerful feel of dread as the allotted time runs out. Despite the outdated technology, it still really does work. The film was a huge international success, spawning several sequels and remakes in Korea, India and the USA.
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