The Ring Two (2005)

Last updated:
October 23, 2025

The Ring Two (2005) is the chilling sequel to the American remake of The Ring (2002), directed by Hideo Nakata—the same filmmaker behind the original Japanese horror classic Ringu. This gives the movie a distinctive eerie atmosphere, blending Western storytelling with Nakata’s slow-burn, psychological horror style.

Table of Contents

Detailed Summary

The Curse Returns

Six months after the terrifying events of the first film, journalist Rachel Keller (Naomi Watts) and her son Aidan (David Dorfman) have moved to the small town of Astoria, Oregon. Rachel is determined to start fresh and protect Aidan from the cursed videotape that once nearly destroyed them. However, peace doesn’t last long. A local teenager dies mysteriously under circumstances that feel disturbingly familiar—leading Rachel to realize the cursed tape has resurfaced.

Discovering the New Victim

Rachel sneaks into the crime scene and finds remnants of the tape, confirming her worst fears. To stop the curse from spreading, she destroys the copy—but it’s too late. Samara Morgan, the vengeful spirit, is not done with them. This time, she isn’t content with random victims—she wants Aidan for herself.

Aidan’s Possession

Aidan begins acting strangely: pale, distant, and cold. He complains about feeling someone “inside him.” Strange bruises appear on his skin, and animals, especially deer, react violently around him. One of the film’s most shocking sequences occurs when Rachel and Aidan are attacked by a herd of crazed deer on a forest road—a metaphor for nature itself rejecting Samara’s influence.

Rachel slowly realizes that Samara’s ghost is trying to possess Aidan’s body, using him as a vessel to return to the physical world. The more she tries to protect her son, the stronger Samara’s grip becomes.

Seeking Answers

Rachel tracks down Evelyn (Sissy Spacek), a woman institutionalized for drowning her own child—just as Samara’s adoptive mother did years ago. Evelyn reveals that some children are “born evil” and that Samara must be stopped the same way she was—by being returned to the water.

With that chilling advice in mind, Rachel faces the horrifying realization that she may need to drown her own son to save him.

Movie Ending

In the intense final act, Samara completely takes over Aidan’s body. Rachel locks herself and her possessed son in their house, trying desperately to reach the real Aidan trapped inside. During the struggle, she realizes that Samara’s connection to him can only be broken by facing her directly.

Rachel fills the bathtub and submerges Aidan, effectively drowning him—mirroring Samara’s own death. Just as Samara’s spirit manifests in the room, Rachel screams for Aidan to fight back. Aidan’s body goes still, and for a haunting moment, it seems she’s lost him. But then, Aidan coughs up water and wakes—alive and free of Samara.

However, the victory is short-lived. Samara’s spirit drags Rachel into her ghostly realm—an alternate version of the well where Samara was once trapped. Inside the dark, endless void, Rachel climbs out of the well, pursued by Samara’s demonic form. In a tense final escape, she pushes the well’s lid shut, trapping Samara forever.

Rachel finds herself back in the real world, alone in the woods. Aidan calls to her from home, safe and alive. She replies softly, “Don’t worry, baby. It’s over now.” The movie ends ambiguously—did she truly defeat Samara, or just buy herself more time?

Are There Post-Credits Scenes?

No, The Ring Two does not have a post-credits scene. The credits roll in silence, maintaining the movie’s eerie, unsettling mood. However, many fans have noted that faint whispers can be heard if you listen closely to the end audio—possibly Samara’s voice, hinting that her curse is never truly gone.

Type of Movie

The Ring Two is a supernatural horror film with strong elements of psychological thriller and possession horror. It focuses less on the cursed tape itself and more on Samara’s desire for rebirth and maternal obsession.

Cast

Naomi Watts as Rachel Keller
David Dorfman as Aidan Keller
Simon Baker as Max Rourke
Elizabeth Perkins as Dr. Emma Temple
Sissy Spacek as Evelyn
Ryan Merriman as Jake
Kelly Stables as Samara Morgan

Film Music and Composer

The haunting score was composed by Hans Zimmer and Henning Lohner, blending atmospheric strings, low piano tones, and eerie sound design. The music enhances the pervasive dread throughout the film, especially during Samara’s appearances.

Filming Locations

The movie was filmed in Astoria and Portland, Oregon, as well as parts of Los Angeles. The misty forests and coastal landscapes of Oregon perfectly capture the film’s tone—isolated, damp, and hauntingly beautiful. The town’s gloomy atmosphere complements Rachel’s psychological descent and Samara’s watery origins.

Awards and Nominations

While The Ring Two didn’t win major awards, it received several nominations for Best Horror Film from genre-focused organizations. Its visual effects and sound design were particularly praised, even by critics who felt the story didn’t live up to the original.

Behind the Scenes Insights

Director Hideo Nakata, who made the original Ringu, was brought in after Besson’s The Fifth Element director, Noam Murro, left the project due to creative differences.
Naomi Watts reportedly had recurring nightmares during filming.
The deer attack scene used a mix of CGI and animatronics, taking weeks to shoot.
Sissy Spacek accepted her small role because she loved Nakata’s Ringu and wanted to support the franchise.
Many of Samara’s scenes were filmed underwater to achieve her hair-floating effect practically, not digitally.

Inspirations and References

The movie draws inspiration from Japanese folklore about vengeful spirits (onryō) and traditional ghost stories involving water as a medium between the living and the dead. It’s also rooted in Ringu 2 (1999), though heavily rewritten for Western audiences.

Alternate Endings and Deleted Scenes

One deleted scene shows Aidan being temporarily possessed again, suggesting Samara’s curse might never end. Another extended ending had Rachel and Aidan driving away, with the reflection of Samara visible in the car’s rearview mirror—cut because it felt too obvious.

Book Adaptations and Differences

While The Ring Two is not directly based on Koji Suzuki’s original Ring novel, it shares conceptual DNA. The movie’s emphasis on motherhood and psychological trauma differs greatly from Suzuki’s more scientific explanation of the curse (a virus-like psychic phenomenon).

Memorable Scenes and Quotes

Key Scenes

The opening scene where a teen tries to cheat death by showing the tape to his girlfriend.
The terrifying deer attack sequence in the woods.
Rachel’s confrontation with Evelyn in the mental institution.
The bathtub exorcism—arguably the film’s most emotional and terrifying moment.
Rachel’s final descent into the well and escape from Samara’s world.

Iconic Quotes

Rachel: “You can’t have him, Samara.”
Aidan: “Mommy, she’s inside me.”
Evelyn: “Sometimes, the only way to stop the evil… is to drown it.”
Rachel (final line): “It’s over now.”

Easter Eggs and Hidden Details

Samara’s reflection appears subtly in mirrors and glass throughout the movie—even before she fully possesses Aidan.
The deer attack sequence includes a blink-and-you’ll-miss-it shot where Samara’s face flashes over Aidan’s reflection.
A newspaper clipping in Rachel’s office references the events of the first film and names “Anna Morgan,” Samara’s adoptive mother.
The number 7—symbolizing the seven days after watching the tape—appears repeatedly in background details.

Trivia

The Ring Two was the highest-grossing horror movie of 2005.
It was one of the first horror sequels to feature a returning Japanese director.
Naomi Watts performed most of her own stunts, including the underwater well scenes.
A special version of the cursed videotape was released as a DVD Easter egg—viewable only through secret menu navigation.

Why Watch?

Watch The Ring Two if you love atmospheric, psychological horror that mixes haunting visuals with emotional stakes. It’s darker and more character-driven than the first film, focusing on motherhood, fear, and sacrifice. Plus, seeing Naomi Watts go toe-to-toe with Samara again is horror gold.

The Ring Two (2005)