Ringu (1998) is the Japanese psychological horror film that started a cultural phenomenon. Directed by Hideo Nakata and based on Koji Suzuki’s 1991 novel, the movie is both eerie and understated—a slow-burn mystery that creeps up on you long after the credits roll. It’s the original inspiration behind Hollywood’s The Ring (2002), and it remains one of the most haunting pieces of J-horror ever made.
Detailed Summary
The Urban Legend Begins
The film opens with two high school girls, Tomoko and Masami, discussing a mysterious videotape rumored to kill anyone who watches it seven days later. Tomoko confesses that she and some friends had watched a strange tape a week ago. Moments later, she dies in a terrifying, unseen way—her face frozen in horror. It’s a chilling opening that sets the tone for the rest of the film: dread through subtlety.
Reiko’s Investigation
We’re then introduced to Reiko Asakawa, a journalist (played by Nanako Matsushima) investigating the urban legend after hearing about her niece Tomoko’s bizarre death. As a rational reporter, she initially doubts the supernatural story—but after discovering a VHS tape at a cabin in Izu, she decides to watch it.
The tape itself is deeply unsettling: grainy footage of abstract and disturbing images—a woman brushing her hair in a mirror, a man pointing, an eye, a well, and other cryptic visuals. Right after watching, the phone rings, and a faint voice whispers something indiscernible. Reiko quickly realizes she’s now part of the curse.
The Seven Days Begin
Terrified yet determined, Reiko seeks help from her ex-husband, Ryuji Takayama (Hiroyuki Sanada), who has mild psychic abilities. Together, they analyze the tape and attempt to uncover its meaning. Ryuji watches the tape himself, binding his fate with Reiko’s. They discover clues pointing to a psychic woman named Shizuko Yamamura, who once made headlines for her supernatural powers.
They soon learn that Shizuko’s daughter, Sadako, was even more powerful—and far more dangerous. After a tragic incident at a psychic demonstration years earlier, Sadako mysteriously vanished.
The Search for Sadako
As the curse’s deadline nears, Reiko and Ryuji trace Sadako’s story to a remote island. Locals reveal that Sadako was thrown into a well and left to die years ago. They find the well’s location, matching the one from the tape’s final image. In a desperate attempt to break the curse, Reiko climbs into the well and discovers Sadako’s remains.
It’s one of the film’s most unforgettable scenes—slow, methodical, and heavy with dread. Reiko believes that by finding and giving Sadako a proper burial, the curse will be lifted.
Movie Ending
The next morning, Reiko wakes up alive and relieved. She assumes the curse has ended. However, when Ryuji returns home, he experiences disturbing visions—his TV flickers to static, and the now-iconic scene unfolds: Sadako crawls out of the television screen, soaked and hair covering her face, moving in that horrifying, unnatural motion.
Ryuji dies instantly, his face twisted in terror. Reiko is horrified when she realizes the truth: the curse isn’t lifted by discovering Sadako’s body—it’s only broken by making someone else watch the tape. In other words, to survive, you must copy the tape and show it to another person, passing on the curse like a viral infection.
The film ends with Reiko racing to show the tape to her father, hinting she plans to sacrifice him to save her son. The screen cuts to black, leaving the audience unsettled and morally conflicted.
Are There Post-Credits Scenes?
No, Ringu has no post-credits scene. The film ends abruptly after Reiko’s chilling realization, allowing the dread to linger without closure—a perfect horror choice.
Type of Movie
Ringu is a psychological horror and supernatural mystery. It’s less about jump scares and more about atmosphere, tension, and the fear of the unknown. The horror comes from suggestion, silence, and the audience’s imagination.
Cast
- Nanako Matsushima as Reiko Asakawa
- Hiroyuki Sanada as Ryuji Takayama
- Rikiya Otaka as Yoichi Asakawa
- Yuko Takeuchi as Tomoko Oishi
- Hitomi Sato as Masami
- Masako as Sadako Yamamura
Film Music and Composer
The haunting score was composed by Kenji Kawai, known for his atmospheric and minimalist style (he also composed for Ghost in the Shell). The music relies on eerie tones, ambient drones, and sudden silences—making even quiet scenes nerve-wracking.
Filming Locations
The movie was filmed primarily around Izu Peninsula, Tokyo, and Hokkaido, Japan. The seaside cabin where the cursed tape is found is a real location in Izu, contributing to the film’s grounded realism. The use of actual Japanese countryside and traditional homes enhances the sense of isolation and authenticity.
Awards and Nominations
- Japan Academy Prize (1999) – Nominated for Best Film
- Fantasia Film Festival – Won Best Feature Film
- Brussels International Fantastic Film Festival – Won the Pegasus Award
Behind the Scenes Insights
- Director Hideo Nakata deliberately avoided excessive gore, believing suggestion was scarier than shock.
- The cursed videotape was created using practical effects and edited like an experimental short film.
- Sadako’s iconic movement was achieved by filming the actress walking backward, then playing the footage in reverse.
- The film’s success revitalized Japanese horror and inspired a wave of supernatural thrillers in the 2000s.
Inspirations and References
Ringu is based on Koji Suzuki’s novel “Ring” (1991), which was influenced by urban legends and folk tales about cursed objects. Nakata also drew inspiration from classic ghost stories (kaidan) and Japanese folklore about vengeful spirits (onryō).
Alternate Endings and Deleted Scenes
In early drafts, there was a version where Reiko’s son, Yoichi, also watches the tape—forcing her to pass the curse to another child to save him. The final film leaves that moment implied rather than shown, which arguably makes it even more disturbing.
Book Adaptations and Differences
The novel provides more detail about Sadako’s psychic powers and her infection with the smallpox virus, which is symbolic of the curse spreading like a disease. The movie simplifies this to focus on mood and mystery, making Sadako’s power feel more supernatural than scientific.
Memorable Scenes and Quotes
Key Scenes
- The opening scene where Tomoko dies after watching the tape.
- Reiko watching the cursed tape for the first time.
- The eerie discovery of Sadako’s body in the well.
- The unforgettable moment Sadako crawls out of the TV.
Iconic Quotes
- Reiko: “What if the curse is real?”
- Ryuji: “There are things we don’t understand. Things we can’t control.”
- Narrator (from the tape): “You have seven days.”
Easter Eggs and Hidden Details
- The videotape’s imagery includes quick flashes of Sadako’s well—barely visible unless paused.
- When Sadako appears on TV, her reflection is subtly visible in the screen before she emerges.
- The sound of the phone ringing after the tape mirrors the traditional Japanese belief that spirits communicate through static or electrical signals.
Trivia
- Sadako became one of the most famous horror icons in Japan, even appearing in commercials and crossover films (Sadako vs. Kayako).
- The movie’s marketing campaign used real VHS tapes “accidentally” sent to journalists to create buzz.
- The cursed videotape shown in the movie is less than two minutes long but took weeks to design.
- The character of Ryuji was almost cut from the script; test audiences loved the chemistry between him and Reiko, so he stayed.
Why Watch?
Because Ringu is the blueprint for modern horror. It’s subtle, psychological, and utterly unnerving. Instead of monsters or gore, it uses mystery, atmosphere, and dread. It’s the kind of movie that will make you look twice at your TV screen before going to bed.
Director’s Other Movies
- Dark Water (2002)
- Chaos (2000)
- The Complex (2013)
- The Ring Two (2005, Hollywood sequel)
Recommended Films for Fans
- Ju-On: The Grudge (2002)
- Dark Water (2002)
- Pulse (2001)
- The Ring (2002) – U.S. remake
- Noroi: The Curse (2005)
- One Missed Call (2003)
