SYNOPSIS
The final testament of paranormal documentarian Masafumi Kobayashi, who disappeared shortly after completing this, his last known film. What begins as a simple, mysterious manifestation - the sound of crying babies at night - soon reveals itself as something much greater and more terrifying.
OPINION
A masterpiece of documentary-style filmmaking, Noroi: The Curse is far and away the best "found-footage" horror film I've seen. What really gets me are the naturalistic performances - Satoru Jitsunashi, as the troubled psychic receiver Mitsuo Hori, deserves special note. It's a sprawling Shinto-tinged mystery that builds and builds until it reaches a truly horrific climax, and it's structured so much more strongly than a lot of Japanese horror. To me, Noroi is the kind of movie that really crosses boundaries, and has a lot of appeal no matter what kind of horror you're into.
CAST + CREW
Director: Koji Shiraishi (Grotesque, Sadako vs. Kayako)
Cast: Jin Muraki (Retribution, Nightmare Detective)
Marika Matsumoto (Reincarnation, Space Battleship Yamato)
Satoru Jitsunashi (Sturm und Drang, Premonition)
CONTENT (spoilered; highlight for warnings)
violence against women, violence against children, violence against animals, demonic possession, abortion and miscarriage, child abuse, self-immolation
CAREER STATS [on a scale from 1 (least) to 10 (most)]
FUN: 7
A formally precise but completely engrossing horror-mystery.
SCARINESS: 7
Some genuinely chilling apparitions and breathless journalism.
INTENSITY: 7
Noroi goes to some extremely dark places - no punches pulled.
RECOMMENDABILITY: 8
As far as the "found-footage" thing goes - it's top-tier.
SEE ALSO:
Ghostwatch, Occult, Shirome, The Taking of Deborah Logan
