Click to read the article
Ju-On: The Grudge (2004)
Tomatometer
How does the Tomatometer work ![]()
Reviews Counted:68
Fresh:38
Rotten:30
Average Rating:5.8/10
Consensus: The film grows more repetitive as it goes on, and as a result, the scares lessen.
Runtime: 1 hr 32 mins
Genre: Foreign Films
Synopsis: A volunteer home care worker, Nishina Rika (Megumi Okina), enters the home of a bed-ridden patient and discovers a strange ghostly presence lurking behind a door sealed with duct tape. Her... A volunteer home care worker, Nishina Rika (Megumi Okina), enters the home of a bed-ridden patient and discovers a strange ghostly presence lurking behind a door sealed with duct tape. Her discovery unleashes a horrible evil which baffles police investigators, who find that a whole series of people have gone missing from this particular house. Further investigation leads to Izutni Toyama (Misa Uehara), a former detective who handled the case of a man who murdered his wife in the house, but whose son was never found. But when the angry "Ju-On" spirit of vengeance that has infected the house reaches beyond its boundaries to kill Toyama and his daughter, Rika realizes that the horror is spreading. Worse, unless something is done about it, she feels she may become the angry spirit's next victim! Vitagraph Films, the distribution arm of the American Cinematheque in Hollywood, has brought unique and distinctive cinematic visions to audiences nationwide since 1999. Theatrically releasing innovative and critically acclaimed films such as AUDITION, BUBBA HO-TEP and THE REVOLUTION WILL NOT BE TELEVISED has cemented Vitagraph’s reputation as a champion of cult cinema. For more information, please visit www.vitagraphfilms.com. Lions Gate Entertainment is the premier independent producer and distributor of motion pictures, television programming, home entertainment, family entertainment and video-on-demand content. Its prestigious and prolific library of 8000+ titles is one of the largest in the industry and the biggest in indie history. The Lions Gate brand name is synonymous with original, daring, quality entertainment in markets around the world. [More]
Starring: Megumi Okina, Misaki Ito, Misa Euhara, Yui Ichikawa
Starring: Megumi Okina, Misaki Ito, Misa Euhara, Yui Ichikawa, Takako Fuji, Yuya Ozeki
Director: Takashi Shimizu
Director: Takashi Shimizu
Composer: Shiro Sato
Studio: Vitagraph Films
Reviews for Ju-On: The Grudge
As a film, it is at once too much a part of an overarching story and divided into too many episodes to be all of a piece. However, as a sustained collection of scare moments, it's a winner.
... a film that, perhaps better than any other ever made, conveys the disturbing sense of the uncanny -- of fear that goes beyond reason or explanation ...
With just a little bit of editing and some disorienting sound effects, Japanese director Takashi Shimizu can create more tension and jolts than most filmmakers can with oceans of blood.
There are too many characters and few of them are portrayed in a way that would allow audience to really care about their fate.
Ju-On features more matted black hair than you'd find in the locker room shower drain of an Italian soccer team -- but that's not necessarily a bad thing.
There is nearly enough atmosphere and general creepiness to make you forget that the film doesn't really add up to anything.
If you are new to horror that places atmosphere and psychological intensity over gore, Ju-On is a good place to start.
Those who are patient will find that this one is a creepier, more effective movie than its American clone.
What this version has that the remake lacks: a few more intriguing subplots and some Kabuki-like visual flourishes.
... succumbs to terminal stupid-itis, the very same ailment that's demolished plenty of other horror movies through the years.
Exists in its unsettling ability to cloak the audience in a mood of chilling dread.
It's creepy, all right. It's just that how it goes about creeping you out is sometimes just plain cheesy.
Latest News for Ju-On: The Grudge
March 01, 2006:
Second "Grudge" Rolls Into Production
Head on over to the Ghost House Pictures website and you'll find a new press release that'll thrill all you ravenous "Grudge" holders. Seems the sequel just started... More...
October 18, 2005:
Next Asia-to-America Horror Remakes? Two Separate "Eye"s
For those who just can't get enough of American remakes like "The Ring," "The Grudge," and "Dark Water," get ready to celebrate. Paramount's got a... More...
More DVDs
| Tomatometer Percentage | Movie |
|---|---|
| 44% 44% | Night at the Museum: B… |
| 32% 32% | Terminator Salvation |
| 36% 36% | Angels & Demons |
| 95% 95% | Star Trek |
| 25% 25% | Four Christmases |
| Tomatometer Percentage | Movie |
|---|---|
| 83% 83% | Harry Potter and the H… |
| 67% 67% | Public Enemies |
| 75% 75% | Julie & Julia |
| 95% 95% | The Cove |
| 85% 85% | World's Greatest Dad |
What’s Hot On RT
Other News
Sponsored Links
Around The Network
- Ju-On: The Grudge at Rotten Tomatoes
- Ju-On: The Grudge at IGN
- Ju-On: The Grudge at AskMen
Fresh Links
Featured

Subscribe to RT's YouTube channel and don't miss a second of our cracking video content.

Follow Rotten Tomatoes and join us as we tweet about the week's releases.



Top Critic

