Ju-On: The Curse

Ju-on: The Curse (呪怨 Juon), also known as simply Ju-on, is a 2000 Japanese V-Cinema supernatural horror film and the first installment in the Ju-on franchise, following after two short films (Katasumi (片隅; In a Corner) and 4444444444 (Ten Fours)).

Summary
A teacher visits the house of one of his students after the boy goes missing, only to have a horrifying excuse for his absence from school which leads to a death curse born of a powerful rage.

Why It Rocks

 * 1) It is part of the beginning of the world-famous and well-known Ju-On/The Grudge horror film series, much similar to the  The Ring franchise.
 * 2) Takisha Shimizu has amazing skills as both a writer and a director for the movie.
 * 3) Amazing acting, especially from Takako Fuji as she play’s the iconic black stringy-haired pale-skinned spirit that is Kayako Saeki.
 * 4) The idea of a man killing his wife and child after discovering his wife has feelings for another man which leaves their house cursed for anyone who steps in is very original.
 * 5) Though a non-linear plot, you can actually follow along with the move very well.
 * 6) The cinematography is well-done and pretty decent for the early 2000s.
 * 7) The two short films that came before it and kicked off the franchise entirely are just as wonderful and suspenseful.
 * 8) The ghosts of Kayako Saeki and her little son, Toshio, along with her husband’s enraged spirit, Takeo, are haunting and nightmarish “antagonists” and are easily the best parts of the film.
 * 9) It stay’s very true to Japanese culture and folklore as it describes that when someone dies in the grip of a rage, they leave behind a curse and a restless grudge.
 * 10) Many of the sequels that followed it were just as good if not better.
 * 11) Toshio as a ghost is cute but at the same time creepy.
 * 12) The movie has an awesome cliffhanger ending which sets up for a sequel, then later on a franchise.

Bad Quality

 * 1) The Grudge/Ju-On series started to slowly go downhill shortly after the American remakes were released, specifically from The Grudge 3 and the 2020 midquel that followed it.