Ringu (1998): Does it live up to the hype?
Bloody Disgusting, along with other listicles on the net, hailed Ringu (1998) as one of the best ’90s horror films of all time. Universally the film is held in high regard. Boasting an almost-perfect rating on Rotten Tomatoes (98%), it also had a solid audience rating of 7.2 /10 on IMDb.
Armed with these accolades, one might assume that Ringu is the epitome of horror perfection. But as I delved into this cinematic gem, I couldn’t help but wonder: does it truly live up to the hype?
Plot
In a chilling turn of events, reporter Reiko Asakawa (Nanako Matsushima) finds herself entangled in a mysterious and deadly curse when her niece, and three other high-school friends, meet their tragic ends after watching a supposedly cursed videotape. Intrigued and determined to uncover the truth, Asakowa embarks on an investigative journey. A journey that will test her courage and unravel the dark secrets surrounding the eerie footage.
As the cursed tape is uncovered, Asakowa bravely confronts its ominous effects by watching, unaware of the haunting consequences that await. Little did she know that this simple act would trigger a haunting phone call, foretelling Asakowa’s demise within a week. The truth of the urban legend is confirmed! In desperate need of help, she watches it again alongside her ex-husband, Ryuji (Hiroyuki Sanada).
As the couple dig deeper into the tape’s history, they find themselves entwined in a web of a murder mystery. They both find themselves trapped in a chilling labyrinth of clues, where every step holds the weight of impending danger and a relentless race against time.
Asakowa and Ryuji navigate shadows of the past, persevering to unravel the enigma and end the threatening curse. Will they succeed in breaking the spell, or will the sinister forces prevail? Guided by its clever narrative, Ringu surprises with unexpected turns, keeping viewers on the edge of their seats.
Review
Ringu lacks the scares to be a full-fledged horror flick. Whilst this is certainly a ghost story, intentionally or not, what is supposed to be shocking proves ineffective. The climactic reveal of ‘the monster’ lacked the desired impact due to a complete lack of menace, making it feel somewhat contrived.
Even with what could be described as creepy the atmosphere, cinematography and themes – there is something that it is lacking. I can’t quite put my finger on why that is. Here it may be a case of the chicken and the egg. Was it because there wasn’t enough dread and suspense build-up that the shocks fell flat? Or was it because the first shock missed the mark that any aspiration of something more did not materialise?
Despite its flaws, Ringu showcases expert craftsmanship in cinematography and narrative. The adaptation of the story for the silver screen is intriguing, offering something never seen before that captivates the audience. The story adapted for the silver screen is interesting. However, those who have read the book may feel the story is less rich than it could have been.
I picked up on themes of not having enough time in the day to live. Asakowa is constantly calling her son saying she will be home late from work. This, along with the countdown of the days ominously chiming in as each day passes, and the references to ‘deadlines’ makes the viewer feel boxed in.
While the film doesn’t necessarily evoke dread, the recurring themes of time constraints and deadlines successfully create a sense of urgency, adding a unique layer to the story. However, these elements fall short in generating the intended feelings of dread.
Through the camera angles used in the especially dark scenes, the characters are in turn boxed in a 4:3 square – much like the images of the cursed tape. You can see Asakowa’s exhaustion at the latter end of the film, giving the impression she has almost been worked to death. Maybe I am seeing things that are not there. In any case, I felt that this enriched the story.
Ringu offers a unique storyline and expert craftsmanship that make it a worthwhile watch, especially for those intrigued by ghost stories with a more modern twist. However, it’s important to approach it with the understanding that the scares may not meet traditional expectations.
