Ringu has sure cast one sinister shadow of influence over both J-horror and Hollywood, what with the prequel, sequel, American and Korean versions currently doing the rounds.

This remake of Takashi Shimuzi’s creepy hit, The Grudge belongs firmly within this sub-genre’s successful tradition and happily, the project’s godfather, Sam Raimi has retained the services of the original director and the spooky Tokyo setting. It’s not just an ethically sound hiring decision. The unfamiliar environs serve to make visiting American Sarah Michelle Gellar’s haunted house ordeal just that bit more disorientating.

Taking on home-help duties for a senile American transplant, before you can shout Don’t Go Into The Creaky Attic, the actress formerly known as Buffy finds herself in a drowned world of avenging Kabuki ghosts, mashed-up corpses, feral cat-like children and lots of unbrushed hair. Like all Ringu inspired heroines, she sets about investigating the curse behind the supernatural chaos. Unsurprisingly, her best efforts don’t improve matters and the ensuing chilly fantasy is played out against an uncannily effective backdrop of dark menace, visceral bumps and screeching violins.

A very old school things-that-go-bump kind of horror, the proceedings are greatly enriched by its haunted looking protagonist and a brave disregard for chronological norms. Takashi Shimuzi may play second fiddle to Hideo Nakata, but he’s catching up fast. Then again, including the sequel, his original short film and his initial guerrilla video version this is the director’s fifth crack at the material, so few should be surprised by The Grudge’s proficiency.
And for once, not even Buffy can successfully battle the darkness in this supernaturally successful Japanese import.