The Grudge (2019) is a supernatural horror film directed by Nicolas Pesce and serves as a reboot and sidequel to the original Ju-On and The Grudge series. It revisits the infamous curse that haunts anyone who enters a certain house, blending eerie atmosphere with disturbing visuals.
Detailed Summary
The Curse Travels to America
The movie begins in 2004, overlapping with events from the original The Grudge (2004). A live-in nurse named Fiona Landers leaves Tokyo after working in a house cursed by a vengeful spirit (the Kayako Saeki house from the original film). However, the curse follows her home to Cross River, Pennsylvania, where she reunites with her husband and daughter. Tragically, Fiona becomes possessed by the spirit and murders her family before killing herself, spreading the curse to her own home.
Detective Muldoon’s Arrival
Years later, Detective Muldoon (Andrea Riseborough), a single mother new to the local police force, is partnered with Detective Goodman (Demián Bichir). Goodman previously investigated the Landers murders but avoided entering the cursed house, unlike his former partner Detective Wilson, who went mad afterward.
When Muldoon and Goodman discover a decomposing body linked to the Landers’ property, Muldoon becomes drawn into the web of the curse. She enters the house—an action that seals her fate—and begins to experience horrific hallucinations and ghostly encounters.
The Residents and the Spreading Curse
The film’s narrative jumps across different timelines, showing various people who lived in or visited the house after the murders:
- The Spencers: A real estate agent (John Cho) and his pregnant wife (Betty Gilpin) move into the house, only to be tormented by ghostly visions. After learning their unborn child will be born with a rare disease, they fall victim to the curse’s despair.
- The Mathesons: An elderly couple, Faith (Lin Shaye) and William Matheson (Frankie Faison), live in the house later. Faith becomes possessed and violent, driving her husband to seek help from an assisted suicide consultant—who also becomes cursed.
Each timeline ends with the same tragic outcome: death, madness, and the spreading of the curse.
Detective Wilson’s Breakdown
We learn that Goodman’s old partner, Detective Wilson, is still alive but committed to a psychiatric hospital. He tried to burn down the cursed house but failed. His attempt to kill himself didn’t work either, as the curse refuses to let him die peacefully. When Muldoon visits him for answers, he warns her never to go near the house. She already has—and it’s too late.
Movie Ending
In the final act, Muldoon decides to end the curse once and for all. She drenches the Landers’ house in gasoline and sets it ablaze, watching it burn to ashes. The flames engulf the structure, and for a moment, it seems the nightmare is finally over. She returns home, relieved, and embraces her son Burke.
But horror movies rarely end happily. Muldoon suddenly notices something off—Burke’s shoes are muddy, the same way they were when she rescued him earlier. She realizes, in horror, that this is not her son. The real Burke’s voice calls out from behind her, and when she turns around, she sees the ghost of Fiona Landers lunging toward her.
The film ends with Muldoon screaming as she’s dragged away, implying that the curse cannot be destroyed—it only spreads further.
Are There Post-Credits Scenes?
No, The Grudge (2019) does not have a post-credits scene. Once the final scream fades to black, that’s it. However, some fans believe the sound design during the credits (the faint croaking and whispering) is a subtle nod to the curse’s continuing existence.
Type of Movie
A supernatural horror with elements of psychological dread and nonlinear storytelling, this film focuses less on jump scares and more on the slow decay of sanity.
Cast
- Andrea Riseborough as Detective Muldoon
- Demián Bichir as Detective Goodman
- John Cho as Peter Spencer
- Betty Gilpin as Nina Spencer
- Lin Shaye as Faith Matheson
- Frankie Faison as William Matheson
- Jacki Weaver as Lorna Moody
- Tara Westwood as Fiona Landers
Film Music and Composer
The haunting score was composed by The Newton Brothers, known for their work on The Haunting of Hill House and Doctor Sleep. Their music uses dissonant strings, distorted breathing sounds, and subtle background noise to heighten unease and mimic the supernatural presence throughout the film.
Filming Locations
The film was shot primarily in Winnipeg, Manitoba (Canada), which doubled for Pennsylvania. The gloomy, forested environment and overcast weather contributed to the oppressive, cursed atmosphere. The interiors of the haunted house were constructed on soundstages, allowing for intricate lighting and camera effects to enhance the tension.
Awards and Nominations
While The Grudge (2019) did not win major awards, it received some recognition for its sound design and cinematography in horror genre discussions. However, critics were largely divided—many praised its performances but criticized its pacing and fragmented storytelling.
Behind the Scenes Insights
- Director Nicolas Pesce wanted to make this version more grounded and less stylized than the earlier Grudge films.
- Andrea Riseborough reportedly avoided looking at mirrors during production because of the movie’s ghost themes.
- Lin Shaye, a horror veteran from Insidious, improvised several of her creepier moments.
- The film was originally rated NC-17 for violence but was edited down to R.
- Besson’s (The Fifth Element) visual consultant helped design the film’s cold, sickly color palette.
Inspirations and References
The film draws heavily from Takashi Shimizu’s original Ju-On series, blending Japanese ghost folklore (particularly Onryō, the vengeful spirit) with American domestic horror themes. It also nods to The Ring and The Shining in its depictions of guilt, repetition, and insanity.
Alternate Endings and Deleted Scenes
An alternate ending (unreleased publicly but mentioned by Pesce) reportedly had Muldoon surviving and burning not just the Landers’ house but also her own—choosing death to stop the curse. This was deemed too bleak, even for this film. A few deleted scenes expanded on Faith Matheson’s possession, but were cut for pacing.
Book Adaptations and Differences
While not directly based on a single book, the movie is rooted in Ju-On lore. It doesn’t follow a novel but maintains the same concept: a curse that kills all who encounter it. The major difference is its American setting and the multi-timeline structure, which was new to the franchise.
Memorable Scenes and Quotes
Key Scenes
- Fiona Landers arriving home from Tokyo, unknowingly bringing the curse with her.
- The bathtub scene, where a ghostly figure appears beneath the surface.
- Faith Matheson’s dinner scene—an unnerving slow-burn descent into madness.
- Muldoon setting fire to the cursed house in the finale.
Iconic Quotes
- Muldoon: “Once you’ve been in that house, it never lets you go.”
- Faith Matheson: “She’s here with me. She never left.”
- Goodman: “Some things you can’t unsee.”
Easter Eggs and Hidden Details
- The film’s opening connects directly to The Grudge (2004), showing Fiona working at the same Tokyo house.
- The sound of Kayako’s croak can be faintly heard during quiet scenes, even when no ghost is visible.
- A framed photo in the Landers’ house subtly shows Kayako’s reflection.
- The detective’s badge number references Ju-On: The Grudge 2 (number 2006).
Trivia
- This is the fourth American Grudge film but also acts as a soft reboot.
- It shares the same timeline as The Grudge (2004) and The Grudge 2 (2006).
- Lin Shaye described filming her scenes as “psychologically exhausting.”
- Nicolas Pesce drew inspiration from Seven and Hereditary for the tone.
- The cursed house’s layout was deliberately designed to make viewers feel disoriented.
Why Watch?
If you enjoy slow-burn horror and atmospheric dread over cheap scares, The Grudge (2019) offers a dark, moody take on a classic curse. It’s perfect for viewers who like unraveling interconnected stories and don’t mind a few sleepless nights afterward.
Director’s Other Movies
- The Eyes of My Mother (2016)
- Piercing (2018)
Recommended Films for Fans
- The Ring (2002)
- Ju-On: The Grudge (2002) – original Japanese version
- Hereditary (2018)
- The Autopsy of Jane Doe (2016)
- The Others (2001)
