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An adaptation of the popular horror potboiler by Kôji Suzuki, 1998's Ringu is a nerve-jangling and atmospheric Japanese horror gem that's destined to get under your skin. Upon its release, the film became the highest-grossing Japanese horror flick in history, and it has gone down in history as an influential production, with sequels and an American franchise being spawned. Such adulation is wholly earned, as director Hideo Nakata has created a haunting motion picture which relies on tension and a pervasive sense of foreboding rather than big special effects or gore. Comparing Ringu to a clichéd teen slasher is like comparing a roast dinner at a five-star restaurant to a McDonalds Happy Meal. The Happy Meal exists for easy consumption and gives you the runs, whereas the stylish roast dinner is one to savour, and it leaves your belly feeling full and satisfied.
In a Japanese community, an urban legend begins to circulate regarding a 'cursed' video cassette which gives the viewer only seven days before they'll be killed under bizarre circumstances. After four local teenagers are found dead, journalist Reiko Asakawa (Nanako Matsushima) spearheads an investigation, leading her to an isolated lodge where the teenagers had stayed the week before their death. It's here where Asakawa finds the videotape and watches it, leading to the phone call of doom that confirms her fate has been sealed. With only seven days, Asakawa enlists the help of her ex-husband Ryuji (Sanada Hiroyuki) to try and uncover the origins of the video and hopefully find a way to prevent impending doom before it's too late.
Ringu does not incorporate a lot of the things we normally associate with horror. There is no gore, blood, sex or helpless victims here. Rather, the film is concerned with level-headed characters who feel real and three-dimensional, and the whole thing is drenched in a creepy psychological horror haze that builds anticipation, curiosity and tension. What's fascinating about Ringu is that it's rooted in Japanese folklore, not to mention it melds slow-mixing horror with enough engaging trappings to keep impatient viewers interested. Though it can be slow, the theme of curses and the inclusion of spooky phone calls are mainstream-friendly, not to mention Ringu is devilishly well-made. Beneath everything, however, this is a timeless horror tale attuned for mature audiences. Even though video cassettes have been phased out and replaced with superior formats, the general concept of a cursed video will remain eternally relevant as long as motion pictures exist.
It's Nakata's direction which genuinely elevates Ringu; the filmmaker spins a web of enthralling intensity and intoxicating atmosphere, using a restrained touch to generate the horror. The movie at times takes too long to say very little, but the pacing is most the most part effective. Another enormous asset is Kenji Kawai's subtly enthralling score, the sounds of which will really get under your skin. In fact, the sound design of Ringu as a whole is unbelievably creepy. Whenever the spirit behind the cursed videotape is present, an eerie sound can be heard. It's an exceedingly simple noise, but it will scare your pants off. And the infamous scene of the girl crawling out of the television is innately frightening. The moment has been imitated and parodied, but nothing will match the sheer intensity and horror of the sequence here. The cast deserves praise as well, with Matsushima easily carrying the film, while Hiroyuki stands out as a charming presence.
A genuine cult favourite, Ringu is haunting and unforgettable, and it's likely that even those averse to foreign movies will find themselves enraptured by Nakata's cinematic spell. Yes, the characters speak in Japanese and English speakers will need to read subtitles, but this just compels you to concentrate even more on the movie. Interestingly, the title actually refers to the cyclical nature of the curse surrounding the videotape, whereas the American remake used visual circular rings to earn its title. This is a far subtler use of the label. Do yourself a favour and rent (or buy) Ringu for a night of sombre chills. And just to amplify the effect, watch it late at night with the lights off. It's one hell of an experience.
8.1/10
