one of the most effective horror films ever

Rating: 10/10 (5 November 2002)

The Ring is part of the little horror film renaissance that has occurred over the last two years, after the 80s and 90s produced so very few good fright films. The last two years have seen Devil's Backbone, the Others, Frailty, Audition, and Session 9, an output that rivals the entire run of the previous two decades. Not to say that is all roses, the Dark Castle films, especially 13 Ghosts and the truly awful Feardotcom, are terrible films that represent everything bad about American horror. Now comes the Ring, a vast improvement over the original Japanese version, and a truly scary film. I can find no real fault with any aspect of the movie, and it stuck with me for weeks afterwards. Of particular excellence is the Ehren Kruger screenplay. The Ring also features the best aerial photography I've seen in any film, even ones outside the genre. The Ring is a great film, and one that I think will be remembered.