Occasionally, you come across a film which has everything. This is one of those films. Working not so much on a gore factor but on a psychological level, The Ring is a fine example of mastery of a genre. I'm not a great horror buff, but I have watched this film three times now and each time there is something new and interesting. Either from the actors, the direction or the concept and narrative development.
Without getting bogged down and spoiling it, it's about a video. A video which, when watched, will give you seven days to live. This is underscored by the death of a girl whose Auntie, played by Naomi Watts, is a reporter. Understandably intrigued, Naomi Watts wants to find out more. Not least because she and, albeit accidentally her son, have seen the film. There follows a journey of discovery, horror and gripping mood.
Be under no illusion, this is a great film, nicely underplayed and paced. Based, I am given to understand, on a Japanese film called Ringu, which, according to other reviews I have read, is even more scary. Unusually for a film of this type, the hype is well deserved. Every promise on the cover is lived up to and I found it a little disconcerting to watch - for all the right reasons.
Some have expressed slight reservations that the film has, as it's end, a tendency to disappear with gusto up its' own backside. I know of no such journey other than that which is excellently told on screen.
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