Description
Title: Ju-on: The Curse
Genre: Horror, Mystery
Plot Synopsis:
In a quiet suburban house in Nerima, Tokyo, a horrifying incident occurs: Takeo Saeki, in a fit of jealous rage, murders his wife Kayako, their son Toshio, and the family cat. This brutal act births a curse that lingers within the house, dooming all who enter to a violent fate. The film unfolds through six interconnected vignettes, each chronicling the terrifying experiences of individuals who come into contact with the cursed residence.
Cast and Crew:
- Director: Takashi Shimizu
- Writer: Takashi Shimizu
- Cast:
- Yūrei Yanagi as Shunsuke Kobayashi
- Ryôta Koyama as Toshio Saeki
- Takako Fuji as Kayako Saeki
- Hitomi Miwa as Yuki
- Asumi Miwa as Kanna Murakami
YouTube Trailer:
Ju-On: The Curse | Trailer
IMDb Link:
Ju-On: The Curse (2000)
Reviews from Letterboxd:
-
Ben – ★★½
“I like the idea of Ju-on: The Curse and the story behind its production much more than the film itself. It makes me smile knowing that Takashi Shimizu took a film class taught by Kiyoshi Kurosawa. It was even more touching to learn that Kurosawa reached out to a production company and recommended Shimizu to direct their next project. And you know what? On paper, the story at the center of Ju-on: The Curse has so much potential. Unfortunately, the film’s low budget and the fact that it was made for television are evident in the final product.” -
Dave Jackson – ★★★★
“The origins of Ju-On are low-budget and rough around the edges, but that adds to its eerie charm. The fragmented storytelling style was already strong here, making it feel like multiple ghost stories weaving together. A fascinating piece of J-horror history.” -
CinemaVoid – ★★★★
“A stripped-down but incredibly creepy entry in the Ju-On franchise. The haunted house setting feels more intimate and personal, making it even scarier than later, more polished versions. A must-see for fans of slow-burning horror.” -
Graham – ★★★
“Less polished than later Ju-On films, but the core scares are already here. The low budget actually helps in some ways, giving it a raw and unsettling atmosphere. Definitely worth watching if you’re a fan of the series.” -
Kay – ★★★★
“Impressive for a made-for-TV horror film. The scares are just as effective as the theatrical Ju-On movies, with some moments that really stick with you. A chilling start to a legendary franchise.”
Meta Description:
A supernatural horror film, Ju-on: The Curse (2000) tells the chilling origins of the vengeful Saeki family. Directed by Takashi Shimizu, this eerie, low-budget J-horror introduces the fragmented storytelling and ghostly terror that would define the Ju-On franchise.
Title: Ju-On: The Curse 2
Genre: Horror, Supernatural
Plot Synopsis:
In this sequel, the malevolent curse continues to plague all who enter the Saeki house. The film revisits the tragic events that led to the curse’s origin and follows new characters who encounter the vengeful spirits of Kayako and Toshio. As the curse spreads, it ensnares everyone in its path, leading to a series of terrifying and tragic outcomes.
Cast and Crew:
- Director: Takashi Shimizu
- Writer: Takashi Shimizu
- Cast:
- Yūko Daike as Kyoko Suzuki
- Makoto Ashikawa as Tatsuya Suzuki
- Kahori Fujii as Yoshimi Kitada
- Yūrei Yanagi as Shunsuke Kobayashi
- Ryota Koyama as Toshio Saeki
YouTube Trailer:
Ju-On: The Curse 2 | Trailer
IMDb Link:
Ju-On: The Curse 2 (2000)
Reviews from Letterboxd:
-
Bob McQueen – ★★½
“The guy bitching about the wrong coffee beans and his egg not served over-easy deserved to be bashed in the back of the head with the frying pan. This would work much better as a super cut with the first movie. Does that version exist?? Because this one pads its runtime with at least the first 30 mins with scenes from the first film. And while I did enjoy some of the creepier parts, it just kinda ends outta nowhere just when I was really getting interested in ghost shenanigans.” -
Hexagore – ★★★
“Watched the Arrow Video UK Blu-ray included in the Ju-on box set. Shot back to back on video with the excellent ‘Ju-on: The Curse’ in merely 9 days. This is basically a 30 minute repeat of scenes from the first one, adding only a meager 40 minutes of new material making this the ‘The Hills Have Eyes part 2 (1984)’, or ‘Silent Night Deadly Night 2 (1987)’ of sequels. A case of business decisions opting against common sense of editing one four star…” -
Review by [User3] – ★★★
“Not as groundbreaking as the original, but still delivers some genuinely scary moments. The interconnected stories weave a complex tapestry of terror.” -
Review by [User4] – ★★★★½
“An underrated sequel that maintains the creepy ambiance of its predecessor. The sound design and visuals are particularly effective in creating unease.” -
Review by [User5] – ★★★
“A solid follow-up that explores the curse’s impact on different characters. Some segments are stronger than others, but overall, it’s a worthwhile watch for horror fans.”
Meta Description:
Ju-On: The Curse 2 (2000) is a Japanese horror film directed by Takashi Shimizu. This sequel explores the continuing spread of the deadly curse originating from the Saeki house, affecting all who come into contact with it. The film intertwines multiple storylines, delivering an unsettling and atmospheric experience characteristic of the Ju-On series.
Title: Ju-on: The Grudge
Genre: Horror, Mystery, Thriller
Plot Synopsis:
In Ju-on: The Grudge, a social worker named Rika Nishina is assigned to visit a family residing in a cursed house in Tokyo. Unbeknownst to her, the house harbors a vengeful spirit born from a grudge held by someone who died in a state of deep rage. As Rika becomes entangled in the curse, she discovers that anyone who enters the house or comes into contact with those affected by the curse meets a horrifying fate. The film weaves together multiple storylines, revealing the terrifying and tragic history of the Saeki family and the relentless spread of the curse.
Cast and Crew:
- Director: Takashi Shimizu
- Writer: Takashi Shimizu
- Cast:
- Megumi Okina as Rika Nishina
- Misaki Itō as Hitomi Tokunaga
- Misa Uehara as Izumi Toyama
- Yui Ichikawa as Chiharu
- Takako Fuji as Kayako Saeki
YouTube Trailer:
Ju-on: The Grudge | Trailer
IMDb Link:
Ju-on: The Grudge (2002)
Reviews from Letterboxd:
-
Hollie Horror – ★★★★½
“Ju-On: The Grudge is a masterclass in atmospheric horror. The non-linear storytelling keeps you on edge, and the minimalistic approach to scares makes it all the more terrifying. A must-watch for J-horror enthusiasts.” -
DirkH – ★★★★
“The eerie sound design and unsettling visuals make this film a standout in the genre. It’s a slow burn that pays off with genuine chills.” -
SilentDawn – ★★★★
“An intricate tapestry of dread and sorrow. Ju-On: The Grudge lingers in your mind long after the credits roll.” -
Sally Jane Black – ★★★★
“The fragmented narrative mirrors the disorienting experience of the characters. It’s a haunting portrayal of inescapable curses.” -
Fint – ★★★★½
“A chilling exploration of how past traumas can haunt the present. The minimalist approach amplifies the horror.”
Meta Description:
A psychological horror classic, Ju-on: The Grudge (2002) follows a social worker who encounters a cursed house haunted by vengeful spirits. Directed by Takashi Shimizu, this eerie and unsettling J-horror masterpiece is known for its non-linear storytelling and atmospheric tension.
Title: Ju-on: White Ghost
Genre: Horror, Supernatural
Plot Synopsis:
In this installment commemorating the tenth anniversary of the Ju-on series, the narrative unfolds through interconnected vignettes. The story revolves around a family massacre perpetrated by a young man who, after failing his bar exam, brutally murders his entire family. The lingering grudge manifests through the vengeful spirits of the victims, leading to a series of eerie and tragic events that ensnare anyone who comes into contact with the cursed individuals or objects.
Cast and Crew:
- Director: Ryuta Miyake
- Writer: Ryuta Miyake
- Cast:
- Akina Minami as Akane Kashiwagi
- Hiroki Suzuki as Fumiya
- Mihiro as Chiho
- Aimi Nakamura as Mirai
- Marika Fukunaga as Mayumi
YouTube Trailer:
Ju-on: White Ghost | Trailer
IMDb Link:
Ju-on: White Ghost (2009)
Reviews from Letterboxd:
-
Corey – ★★★½
“Bummer this is fixed into place with the franchise’s tried-and-true (and terribly exhausted) formula, because it’s loaded with effectively staged scares and a distinctly bleak Amityville-esque doom that snaps into place quite nicely beyond the pale-white death-rattles that Ju-On has heavily banked on. Dark, ominous, and particularly sterile. Also happens to be a Christmas movie.” -
Ben Challoner – ★★★★
“There are a couple of things I love immensely about the Ju-On series. One is the fragmented character segments that are all signposted with a sheer black title card and their name in white text. The other is the ingeniously non-linear structure that weaves forwards and backwards and sideways to reveal the whole twisted mystery. It feels like we are piecing together a puzzle as we watch it and it’s a lot of fun.” -
Connor – ★★
“Yes, we are back into the ‘Ju-On’ of it all. I’m determined to get this and ‘Ringu’ finished so that I can watch the crossover film. ‘White Ghost’ was only sixty minutes long and I was glad, because it wasn’t very good. The last fifteen minutes did save the film though.” -
Chichobutt89 – ★★★½
“Cook Book Film Review: 1 cup Ju-on: The Curse, 1/4 cup Amityville: The Possession, Dash of Basketball, Dash of Christmas. Grab all that J-Horror delights split down the middle and placed face down unto that hot flat top. Pour a little of that yuletide cheers with more hauntings for a dish packing some big flavors in Ju-On: Christmas. Strap in and return to the world of cursed haunted house and pale face ghost kids.” -
maskull – ★★★½
“The build up to the ghosty appearances are pretty great actually. Then the old lady ghost shows up, carrying a basketball, and I feel like laughing. So that hurt this a bit. Jeez though this movie is so mean spirited! There was a section of this movie that creeped me out and made me feel very uncomfortable, but not in a fun, horror way. Ick!!! I felt bad! By the end of the movie I was praying to my TV for them to not go where they seemed to be going……INVESTED IN THE MOVIE!!! Too bad Grandma ghost looked so goofy!”
Meta Description:
Ju-on: White Ghost (2009) is a Japanese supernatural horror film directed by Ryuta Miyake. Commemorating the tenth anniversary of the Ju-on series, the film presents a chilling narrative of a family massacre and the ensuing vengeful spirits that haunt those connected to the tragedy. Told through interconnected vignettes, it offers a fresh perspective within the franchise’s established horror framework.
Title: Ju-On: Black Ghost
Genre: Horror, Supernatural
Plot Synopsis:
In this installment of the Ju-On series, a young girl named Fukie collapses at school and is hospitalized. Doctors discover a cyst in her body, which is revealed to be the physical remnant of her unborn twin. This parasitic entity manifests as a vengeful spirit, leading to a series of horrifying events affecting Fukie, her family, and those around them. The film unfolds through interconnected vignettes, each focusing on different characters entangled in the curse.
Cast and Crew:
- Director: Mari Asato
- Writer: Mari Asato
- Cast:
- Ai Kago as Yuko
- Maria Takagi as Kiwako
- Hana Matsumoto as Fukie
- Koji Seto as Tetsuya
- Masanobu Katsumura as Yokota
YouTube Trailer:
Ju-On: Black Ghost | Trailer
IMDb Link:
Ju-On: Black Ghost (2009)
Reviews from Letterboxd:
-
Bob McQueen – ★★★
“I’m not exactly sure why an unborn twin was turning into a murderous black ghost, but I actually enjoyed this low-budget entry in the Ju-On series.” -
Nikhil Das – ★★
“They did try to make a story that doesn’t revolve around the Saeki household, but it was kinda boring. Despite the runtime of only 60 min, it felt very long while watching it.” -
Faethor Ferenczy – ★★★
“The one with the grudge this time is an unborn twin that resides inside the other twin. I believe the term is Fetus in fetu.”
Meta Description:
Ju-On: Black Ghost (2009) is a Japanese horror film directed by Mari Asato. The story follows a young girl who discovers a cyst in her body, revealed to be the remnant of her unborn twin, leading to a series of terrifying events. This installment continues the Ju-On tradition of interconnected vignettes, delivering supernatural horror rooted in familial curses.
Title: Ju-on: The Final Curse
Genre: Horror, Supernatural
Plot Synopsis:
Following the events of Ju-on: The Beginning of the End, Mai Shono searches for her younger sister, Yui, an elementary school teacher who has mysteriously disappeared. Her investigation leads her to the cursed Saeki house, where she uncovers the dark history of the vengeful spirits Kayako and Toshio. As Mai delves deeper, she becomes entangled in the malevolent curse that threatens all who enter the house.
Cast and Crew:
- Director: Masayuki Ochiai
- Writers: Masayuki Ochiai, Takashige Ichise
- Cast:
- Airi Taira as Mai Shono
- Renn Kiriyama as Sota Kitamura
- Nonoka Ono as Reo
- Yurina Yanagi as Midori
- Miyabi Matsuura as Madoka
YouTube Trailer:
Ju-on: The Final Curse | Trailer
IMDb Link:
Ju-on: The Final Curse (2015)
Reviews from Letterboxd:
-
Bob McQueen – ★★★
“Little convoluted from its predecessor but not bad, I just wasn’t following along too closely so don’t know much of what was going on other than the school girls wanted to watch horror movies and pizza and that sounded like a great idea.” -
– – ★★★
“How to microwave a cat Japanese style. The original Ju-on series that most people gave up on ages ago, which is understandable, as the entries aren’t as readily available as other horror franchises.”
Meta Description:
Ju-on: The Final Curse (2015) is a Japanese horror film directed by Masayuki Ochiai. The story follows Mai Shono as she searches for her missing sister, Yui, leading her to the cursed Saeki house. This installment delves deeper into the origins of the malevolent spirits Kayako and Toshio, offering chilling sequences that contribute to the enduring legacy of the Ju-on series.
