Karen Davis (Sarah Michelle Gellar) has just moved to Japan with her boyfriend Doug (Jason Behr). Feeling a bit overwhelmed with her new surroundings, Karen is relieved when she gets a job as a replacement care worker for a frail woman who’s family has dissappeared. Karen feels uneasy upon entering the house and soon discovers that she is the next victim of a curse that threatens all who enter.

Producer Sam Raimi, takes a break from directing, and cleverly hands the duties to the original director and crew of this genuinely eery Japanese horror film. Director Takshi Shimizu craftfully keeps us in a state of tension and dread as the curse claims its victims. Unlike his American counterparts, and despite being giving his biggest budget to work with, Shimizu chooses not to delve to far into CGI effects but rather using imagery, sound and atmosphere to provide most of the chills.

The actors all provide strong believable performances as their lives turn to hell. Even TV star Gellar shows that she is ready for the A list, it’s just a pity that Raimi couldn’t find room for his regular character actor, Bruce Campbell.

The Grudge is worthy of many repeat viewings, each one revealing how strong the continuity of this non chronological story is. Genuine scares and tension still last well after viewing the film and there are certain images and noises that you will be happy not to hear again.

THE EXTRAS

Audio Commentary – Producer Sam Raimi is joined by screenwriter Stephen Susco and actors Sarah Michelle Gellar, Clea Du Vall, Ted Raimi, Kadee Strictland and Jason Behr to provide what is the easiest way to watch the film. The group joke about on set antics and lavish praise for their japanese colleagues whilst Sam and Stephen give us insight into the production. Not crucial listening but an essential extra in my books.
Featurette – A Powerful rage:Behind the Grudge 48 min. A series of 5 smaller featurettes are combined to make this one.
Birth of the Grudge – Starting off with a general behind the scenes doco featuring interviews with most of the cast and some of the crew.
Myth of the Ju on- A look at the concept of curse, and the Grudge’s origins with the original film
Culture Shock – The American actors talk light heartedly with the differences in filming in Japan with a Japanese crew.
Desigining the Grudge House- A look at the impressive set that is one of the most important characters in the film
A new direction: Understanding Takashi Shimizu. Ironically when we hear from Takashi (and his crew members and Japanese actors) no subtitles are provided, so any insight he provides is totally wasted on all non japanese speaking viewers.

Featurette: Under the Skin 12 min Joseph LeDoux, a professor of neural science and psychology discusses human fear response which is vagueky linked to footage from the film. A bit of a waste of time and comes more across as a plug for his two books.

Theatrical Trailer Another essential DVD extra that doesn’t demand viewing.

CONCLUSION

Sarah Michelle Gelar starts in this spooky remake of the Japanese Horror film Ju-on: The Grudge. Karen Davis (Gellar) has recently moved to Japan with her boyfriend Doug. As a care worker she is sent to a house to care for a frail woman who’s family has dissappeared. Karen, and anyone else who enters the house, unwittingly find themselves being haunted by the spirits of its former occupants.