The Grudge (2004)

Last updated:
October 24, 2025

The Grudge (2004), directed by Takashi Shimizu, is an American supernatural horror film and a remake of his own Japanese hit Ju-On: The Grudge (2002). It’s one of the key films that introduced American audiences to Japanese-style horror — eerie atmosphere, nonlinear storytelling, and terrifying ghosts with long, black hair.

Table of Contents

Detailed Summary

The Curse Begins

The movie opens in Tokyo, where an American family, the Williamses, live in a quiet neighborhood. The house they occupy is cursed — anyone who enters it becomes marked for death by a powerful, lingering spirit. The curse was born from a brutal murder: Takeo Saeki, consumed by jealousy, killed his wife Kayako and their young son Toshio, then took his own life. The rage and pain of that act imprinted itself onto the house forever.

Enter Karen

Karen Davis (played by Sarah Michelle Gellar), an exchange student and care worker, is sent to the house to look after an elderly American woman named Emma. When she arrives, she finds the home in chaos — torn photos, eerie silence, and strange noises echoing through the halls. Upstairs, she discovers a little boy, Toshio, pale and expressionless, with a cat-like meow. That’s when the horror begins.

Karen experiences disturbing visions and learns that everyone who enters the house is doomed to die. The curse doesn’t just haunt the house; it follows the victims wherever they go.

Detective Nakagawa’s Investigation

Detective Nakagawa (played by Ryo Ishibashi) begins investigating a string of mysterious deaths connected to the house. Each victim is found dead in shock, their faces frozen in terror. Nakagawa’s search leads him to realize that the curse is unstoppable — anyone who comes into contact with it is doomed.

Flashbacks Reveal the Truth

Throughout the film, flashbacks reveal what happened to the previous residents — the Williams family. Jennifer Williams (played by Clea DuVall) begins hearing strange sounds and sees ghostly apparitions. Her husband Matthew and his sister Susan both fall victim to Kayako’s spirit. The scene where Susan encounters the ghost in an elevator — seeing Toshio’s ghost on every floor as she ascends — remains one of the film’s most chilling moments.

Karen’s Desperate Search for Answers

Karen discovers the house’s horrific history: Kayako had been obsessed with her university professor, Peter Kirk (played by Bill Pullman). When her husband Takeo found out, he murdered her in a jealous rage. Peter later visited the house, saw Kayako’s ghost, and committed suicide — in the movie’s shocking opening scene.

Karen realizes that the curse is like a virus — it spreads from person to person. She tries to stop it by burning the house down, hoping to end the cycle.

Movie Ending

Karen sets the cursed house ablaze, believing that destroying it will finally end Kayako’s vengeance. As the flames rise, she collapses and is taken to the hospital. However, when she wakes up, she discovers that the house still stands. The curse has not been destroyed.

In the film’s haunting final moments, Karen visits the morgue to see her boyfriend’s body. As she uncovers the sheet, she is horrified to find Kayako’s corpse-like face staring back at her. The camera zooms in on Karen’s terrified eyes as Kayako’s ghost lets out her signature death rattle — that croaking, throat-cracking sound that has haunted audiences ever since.

The film ends abruptly, with the implication that Karen has now become the curse’s next victim — and that it will continue forever, feeding on fear and death.

Are There Post-Credits Scenes?

No, The Grudge (2004) does not have any post-credits scenes. The movie ends with a chilling final moment and fades to black — no sequel tease or epilogue. The curse itself is the never-ending continuation.

Type of Movie

The Grudge is a supernatural horror film, with elements of psychological terror and mystery. It’s not about jump scares alone — it’s about dread, atmosphere, and the sense of being watched by something you can’t escape.

Cast

Sarah Michelle Gellar as Karen Davis
Jason Behr as Doug
William Mapother as Matthew Williams
Clea DuVall as Jennifer Williams
KaDee Strickland as Susan Williams
Ryo Ishibashi as Detective Nakagawa
Takako Fuji as Kayako Saeki
Yuya Ozeki as Toshio Saeki

Film Music and Composer

The score was composed by Christopher Young, a veteran of horror music (Hellraiser, Sinister). His haunting, minimalist compositions emphasize tension through deep strings, eerie whispers, and distorted ambient noises that make even silence sound threatening.

Filming Locations

The film was shot on location in Tokyo, Japan, adding a layer of authenticity and cultural eeriness. The house interiors were built on sound stages, but the exteriors were filmed in actual Japanese neighborhoods to enhance realism. The unfamiliar Tokyo setting also amplifies Karen’s sense of isolation — she’s an American trapped in a foreign city haunted by something ancient and incomprehensible.

Awards and Nominations

While The Grudge didn’t receive major critical awards, it was a box office success, grossing over $187 million worldwide on a $10 million budget. It was nominated for several MTV Movie Awards and Teen Choice Awards in the horror categories.

Behind the Scenes Insights

Director Takashi Shimizu also directed the original Ju-On films — he’s one of the few directors to remake his own movie for Hollywood.
The eerie “death rattle” sound made by Kayako was performed by Takako Fuji using her own throat, not sound effects.
The movie was filmed largely in Japan with a Japanese crew, making it feel more like a Japanese film than a typical Hollywood horror.
Sarah Michelle Gellar reportedly didn’t meet Takako Fuji (Kayako) until filming their first scene together — for authentic fear.

Inspirations and References

The film is based on Ju-On: The Grudge (2002), which in turn was inspired by Japanese folklore about “Onryō” — vengeful spirits who remain bound to the world due to rage or sorrow. Unlike Western ghosts, they cannot be exorcised or appeased — their curse lives on indefinitely.

Alternate Endings and Deleted Scenes

There were deleted scenes that expanded Karen’s backstory, including her adjusting to life in Japan and bonding more with her boyfriend Doug. Another cut scene showed more detail of Kayako’s murder at the hands of her husband, but it was removed for being too graphic. No alternate ending was ever filmed — the final one was Shimizu’s intended version.

Book Adaptations and Differences

The Grudge is based on the Ju-On series rather than a book, but several novelizations exist. These delve deeper into the curse’s origin and offer more psychological detail about Kayako’s obsession and Takeo’s descent into madness. The film simplifies these elements to focus on scares and visual storytelling.

Memorable Scenes and Quotes

Key Scenes

Karen discovering Toshio in the attic, followed by Kayako crawling down the stairs.
The elevator scene with Susan seeing Toshio appear on every floor.
Kayako’s first full reveal emerging from beneath the bedsheets.
Peter’s fatal jump at the film’s start, linking the entire story in a circular structure.

Iconic Quotes

Karen: “It never stops. Once you’ve seen her… you can’t escape.”
Detective Nakagawa: “It’s not the house that’s haunted. It’s the people who enter it.”

Easter Eggs and Hidden Details

The film subtly references Ju-On by showing the same apartment numbers and similar death scenes.
Toshio’s cat meow isn’t just creepy — in Japanese mythology, spirits often take on animal traits when angered.
The recurring use of mirrors and reflections hints that the curse lives within perception — once you see it, it sees you.

Trivia

Sarah Michelle Gellar shot The Grudge while still working on Buffy the Vampire Slayer, creating ironic overlap between “The Slayer” and “The Cursed.”
The film’s release was delayed to avoid competition with The Ring 2.
Takako Fuji (Kayako) reprised her role multiple times across Japanese and American versions, becoming an iconic horror figure.

Why Watch?

Watch The Grudge if you crave slow-burn horror and unsettling atmosphere rather than simple jump scares. It’s a must for fans of J-horror and ghost stories that linger long after the credits roll. The tension, sound design, and cultural blend make it one of the most distinctive horror remakes ever made.

Director’s Other Movies

Ju-On: The Grudge (2002)
Ju-On 2 (2003)
Marebito (2004)
The Grudge 2 (2006)
Reincarnation (2005)
Flight 7500 (2014)

The Grudge (2004)