The Grudge is probably my favorite horror film of all time. I love its simplicity, I love the Japanese influence, I love the characters, and I love its use of the camera to create unique scares. The Grudge is also one of the rare occasions when the American remake is just as good as the original, Japanese horror film Ju-On: The Grudge. And, what’s more, it’s getting a reboot in 2020, so now is the time to revisit this modern masterpiece.
The Grudge is a 2004 film starring nerd icon and goddess Sarah Michelle Gellar of Buffy the Vampire Slayer fame, directed by Ju-On director and Japanese horror legend Takashi Shimizu, and produced by Sam Raimi who’s had his hands in so many fandom projects it’s hard to keep track. It tells the story of a curse that is born from extreme rage or pain and follows those who encounter it, leading them to their own demise. It focuses primarily on psychological horror and paranoia, creating pervading feelings of loneliness for those touched by the curse. One thing I love about the movie is that the Grudge is terrific at creating scenarios that violate traditionally safe or comfortable situations such as one’s bed or the shower. It really delivers the idea that nowhere is safe, and in a genre that is dominated by more physical threats like killers and aliens, the Grudge really explores and takes advantage of the boundlessness of supernatural horror. I love it, and it should definitely be on everyone’s list, horror fan or not.
