The Ring (2002) is a chilling psychological horror directed by Gore Verbinski, adapted from the 1998 Japanese film Ringu by Hideo Nakata. It’s the film that brought the era of “J-horror remakes” to the West, haunting audiences with the unforgettable image of a ghost girl crawling out of a TV screen. Below is a complete exploration of the film, its story, behind-the-scenes details, and hidden secrets.
Detailed Summary
The Cursed Tape
The movie opens with two teenage girls, Katie and Becca, talking about a mysterious videotape that supposedly kills anyone who watches it seven days later. Katie reveals she and her friends watched the tape—and right on cue, the phone rings. Later that night, Katie dies in a terrifying, unexplained manner.
Rachel Begins Her Investigation
Katie’s aunt, Rachel Keller (Naomi Watts), a journalist, becomes curious about her niece’s death. When she learns about the cursed videotape, her investigative instincts take over. Rachel tracks down the tape to a remote cabin in Shelter Mountain Inn. There, she watches the infamous video: a disturbing collage of eerie and surreal images—a well, a woman brushing her hair, a horse, maggots, and a mysterious ring of light. Moments after viewing, the phone rings, and a whisper says, “Seven days.”
The Curse Spreads
Rachel soon enlists the help of her ex-boyfriend, Noah (Martin Henderson), to analyze the tape. But when her young son Aidan accidentally watches it, the stakes rise dramatically. Now all three of them are cursed. Rachel begins to experience hallucinations and nosebleeds, and notices strange images—like the well—appearing on her photographs.
The Mystery of Samara
Rachel’s investigation leads her to Anna Morgan and her husband, who once lived on Moesko Island and owned horses that mysteriously died. The couple had adopted a child named Samara, who had strange psychic abilities and caused madness in those around her. Anna eventually killed herself, unable to cope with Samara’s influence.
Rachel discovers that Samara was confined to the attic and eventually thrown into a well by Anna. Samara survived for seven days before dying, which explains the curse’s time limit. Rachel and Noah find Samara’s remains and believe that setting her spirit free will break the curse.
Movie Ending
After Rachel discovers Samara’s body in the well, it seems the curse is broken. The rain clears, and the haunting visions stop. She goes home to Aidan, relieved—until the boy wakes up in terror and asks, “You helped her? Why did you do that?” He reveals the horrifying truth: Samara doesn’t want peace—she wants to continue spreading her curse.
In the film’s most shocking twist, Noah—who also watched the tape—dies the next day. Rachel realizes that she only survived because she made a copy of the tape and showed it to someone else, passing the curse on. To save her son, she helps Aidan copy the tape, implying they must make someone else watch it.
The film ends ominously, showing Rachel asking Aidan, “What happens to the person we show it to?” and the screen cuts to black. It’s a perfect horror ending—unresolved, haunting, and morally disturbing.
Are There Post-Credits Scenes?
No, The Ring has no post-credits scenes. The film ends abruptly after Rachel’s realization, leaving viewers in silence and unease. The absence of a post-credits scene fits the tone—there’s no comfort, no closure, only dread.
Type of Movie
The Ring is a psychological horror and supernatural thriller. It emphasizes atmosphere, dread, and mystery over gore or jump scares. Its slow-building tension and realistic characters make it one of the most effective horror films of the 2000s.
Cast
- Naomi Watts as Rachel Keller
- Martin Henderson as Noah Clay
- David Dorfman as Aidan Keller
- Brian Cox as Richard Morgan
- Daveigh Chase as Samara Morgan
- Shannon Cochran as Anna Morgan
Film Music and Composer
The haunting score was composed by Hans Zimmer, who delivers a minimalist yet deeply unsettling soundtrack. The music uses ambient tones, distorted strings, and whispers to evoke a constant sense of unease, enhancing the film’s otherworldly atmosphere.
Filming Locations
The Ring was shot primarily in Washington State, especially in and around Seattle. Key locations include:
- Deception Pass – used for the iconic bridge scene
- Moesko Island scenes – filmed in Whidbey Island and the San Juan Islands
- Shelter Mountain Inn – actually a real cabin in Monroe, Washington
The misty, overcast Pacific Northwest landscape perfectly matches the movie’s gloomy tone, almost becoming a character in itself.
Awards and Nominations
While The Ring didn’t sweep major awards, it received critical praise for direction, cinematography, and sound design.
- Saturn Awards (2003): Nominated for Best Horror Film and Best Actress (Naomi Watts)
- MTV Movie Awards: Won Best Villain (Daveigh Chase as Samara Morgan)
Behind the Scenes Insights
- Gore Verbinski insisted on practical effects wherever possible—Samara’s TV crawl was done with real contortion work and reversed footage.
- Naomi Watts admitted she didn’t sleep well for weeks after filming.
- Daveigh Chase (Samara) filmed most of her scenes in just a few days.
- The film’s marketing campaign used fake VHS tapes and anonymous phone calls to spread rumors—mimicking the movie’s plot.
- The water imagery throughout was symbolic of Samara’s well and psychological drowning.
Inspirations and References
The movie is based on the 1998 Japanese horror film Ringu, which in turn was adapted from Koji Suzuki’s novel of the same name. The story draws inspiration from Japanese folklore and urban legends about cursed objects and vengeful spirits.
Alternate Endings and Deleted Scenes
A few deleted scenes expand on Rachel’s research into Samara’s background. One alternate ending featured Rachel watching her own copy of the tape burn, but test audiences felt it lessened the horror. The final ending, where Rachel realizes the curse continues, was chosen for its shock value.
Book Adaptations and Differences
In Suzuki’s novel, the curse has a viral explanation—it’s caused by a psychic virus that spreads through videotape. The American film focuses more on supernatural horror and family tragedy rather than science fiction. Samara also differs from the Japanese version (Sadako), whose motives and powers are more explicitly psychic.
Memorable Scenes and Quotes
Key Scenes
- The opening death scene with Katie—still one of the scariest cold opens in horror history.
- Rachel watching the cursed videotape for the first time.
- The horse panicking on the ferry and jumping into the sea.
- The well sequence where Rachel finds Samara’s body.
- Samara emerging from the TV—an iconic horror moment.
Iconic Quotes
- “Seven days.”
- “You weren’t supposed to help her.”
- “Everyone will suffer.”
- “She never sleeps.”
Easter Eggs and Hidden Details
- The videotape’s imagery mirrors Samara’s life—each symbol represents her trauma.
- “The Ring” doesn’t just refer to the shape of the well but also the ring of the phone call after you watch the tape.
- The movie uses subliminal single-frame images of Samara’s face throughout to increase unease.
- Rachel’s dream sequences contain flashes of the tape that are only visible when slowed down.
Trivia
- The VHS tape in promotional campaigns contained only the cursed video—no credits, no logos.
- The horse scene used animatronics and real animals.
- The film’s success led to a rise in horror movies centered on cursed media.
- Director Gore Verbinski went on to direct Pirates of the Caribbean soon after.
- Daveigh Chase also voiced Lilo in Lilo & Stitch—a shocking contrast to her creepy role here.
Why Watch?
The Ring is a must-watch for anyone who loves psychological horror that messes with your mind rather than your stomach. Its story unfolds like a mystery, its scares are smart and earned, and Naomi Watts delivers one of the best horror performances of the 2000s. It’s intelligent, eerie, and still terrifying over 20 years later.
Director’s Other Movies
- Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl (2003)
- The Weather Man (2005)
- Rango (2011)
- A Cure for Wellness (2016)
Recommended Films for Fans
- Ringu (1998) – Japan
- The Grudge (2004)
- Dark Water (2005)
- The Others (2001)
- It Follows (2014)
- The Babadook (2014)
