an assault on your senses

Rating: 8/10 (24 October 2002)

Be careful with this one! It accomplishes exactly what it wants to. The acting is excellent, and the plot is quite intriguing and mysterious. You will leave the theatre thinking about what actually happened and trying to put all the links together, while at the same time not feeling lost.

That said, this is not your typical scary movie. This does not use foreshadowing and suspense music in the traditional way. Most horror films will build the suspense with foreshadowing, but this also allows you to be prepared when the freaky stuff shows up. In the ring, you have no clue when its gonna hit you.....that is combined with the fact that the scenes are more gruesome and brutal than any ive ever seen. It can be a bit much. The scenes don't really make you jump so much as cringe deep down inside, with a hellascious spine tingle to boot. This is the kind of movie that will give you nightmares for a long time if you are prone to that sort of thing. It assaults you in a more subliminal way, in a way you have never experienced before, and the effect is much more lasting and powerful.
The screen is usually filled with terrible images, and you should keep this in mind before you enter the theatre. Be in the mood for a chill, and you'll love this one. If you are looking for a "scream" type thriller look else where. The is no quirky fun here.