Noroi: The Curse is a Japanese found footage horror film that was released in 2005. The movie revolves around a documentary filmmaker named Masafumi Kobayashi, who investigates a series of paranormal events and unexplained occurrences happening in Japan. The film follows Kobayashi as he delves deeper into the mysterious case of a missing woman named Junko Ishii. Through his investigation, he discovers a cursed video called "Noroi," which is said to bring misfortune and death to anyone who watches it. As he uncovers more information about the cursed video, Kobayashi becomes increasingly obsessed with finding out the truth behind it. Throughout the film, Kobayashi encounters various individuals who have been affected by the curse.
Noroi is a long and complex film, one that demands your full attention throughout. Clues as to what’s going on come thick and fast and at first might seem like throwaway bits of spooky business that have nothing to do with the main plot. Only as the story unfolds does it becomes clear that things like the suicidal pigeons, Ishii’s alleged stealing of fetuses from an abortion clinic and the meaning of the loops that Mariko keeps drawing and making in pieces of string are actually vital to understanding what’s going on. It all adds up to a film that slowly, carefully amnd expertly accumulates a growing sense of dread and unease.
Kobayashi, Marika and his never seen cameraman Miyajima find their way to the site of a former village, long submerged to make way for the Shimokage dam, where the locals performed rituals to appease the demon Kagutaba who they come to believe is behind all the mysteries. There are hints of the always popular folk horror sub-genre as Kobayashi and co discover the remnants of the rural community that raised and subsequently imprisoned Kagutaba, keeping it in check with complex rituals.
Throughout the film, Kobayashi encounters various individuals who have been affected by the curse. He interviews psychics, researchers, and witnesses who have had firsthand experiences with supernatural phenomena. As the mystery deepens, the documentary filmmaker's own life becomes entangled with the curse, leading to horrifying consequences.
Noroi: The Curse (2005)
Often described as “found footage”, Kôji Shiraishi’s Noroi is actually a good example of the form’s close relative, the fake documentary. Taking the form of a compilation of video material recorded by a paranormal researcher, it charts the final days and weeks before his mysterious disappearance.
Jin Muraki stars as Masafumi Kobayashi, a journalist specialising in the paranormal and all things Fortean who, we are told at the outset, disappeared while making his latest film, The Curse, shortly after his house burned down and his wife Keiko (Miyoko Hanai) was found dead in the wreckage. The Curse consists at first of what seems to be random bits and pieces from Kobayashi’s investigations – a woman named Junko Ishii (Tomono Kuga) and her son (Shûta Kambayashi) attract his attention after neighbours complain about strange sounds coming from their house that are later revealed to be the crying of a group of babies; the neighbour and her daughter die in car crash a week later; young schoolgirl Kana Yano (Rio Kanno) is seen on a television variety show displaying uncanny psychic powers; a clearly mentally ill man, Mitsuo Hori (Satoru Jitsunashi), who constantly wears a tin foil hat and coat, warns him about “ectoplasmic worms”; and actress Marika Matsumoto (apparently playing herself) is stalked by something supernatural after taking part in a different documentary about a supposedly haunted shrine.
All these strands at first seem unconnected and the first hour of the film – which at 115 minutes is a good twenty minutes too long – can seem rambling and unfocused. It all starts to coalesce as the story progresses. Kobayashi, Marika and his never seen cameraman Miyajima find their way to the site of a former village, long submerged to make way for the Shimokage dam, where the locals performed rituals to appease the demon Kagutaba who they come to believe is behind all the mysteries. By the end of the film Kagutaba has been revealed to have manifested in the form of a minor character from earlier in the film and is responsible for Kobayashi’s disappearance.
Noroi is a long and complex film, one that demands your full attention throughout. Clues as to what’s going on come thick and fast and at first might seem like throwaway bits of spooky business that have nothing to do with the main plot. Only as the story unfolds does it becomes clear that things like the suicidal pigeons, Ishii’s alleged stealing of fetuses from an abortion clinic and the meaning of the loops that Mariko keeps drawing and making in pieces of string are actually vital to understanding what’s going on. It all adds up to a film that slowly, carefully amnd expertly accumulates a growing sense of dread and unease.
Like a lot of Japanese horror films, the characters – all well played in a convincingly natural manner – accept the existence of the supernatural without question. Shiraishi and Naoyuki Yokota’s screenplay doesn’t waste time with sceptical characters having to be convinced of what’s going on – they just buy into it, making Noroi feel like it’s taking place in an alternate world where demonic possession, ghosts and other paranormal manifestations are an everyday commonplace.
Noroi makes use of several of the the tried and tested “found footage” tropes – creepy figures lurk in the background, often unseen by the protagonists and half-glimpsed horrors set us further on edge as we struggle to process what we think we might have just seen – but the “mockumentary” approach gives the film more of a coherent structure and allows us to break out of the strictly first person perspective via faked television news and variety show extracts that look convincingly like the real thing.
There are hints of the always popular “folk horror” sub-genre as Kobayashi and co discover the remnants of the rural community that raised and subsequently imprisoned Kagutaba, keeping it in check with complex rituals. The last of these rituals was filmed and the grainy 16mm footage reveals a possible tip of the hat to Kaneto Shindo’s classic Onibaba (1964) when the central character in the rites is seen wearing a mask reminiscent of the Hannya mask central to Shindo’s film.
Noroi may test the patience of some with its length but for those who buy into its off-kilter world and surrender to its escalating feeling of foreboding as Kobayashi’s quest gradually leads himself completely out of his depth, it’s a remarkably effective and often chilling film with moments in its closing stages that are hard to forget. Its slow to get going but stick with it and you’ll be rewarded with a memorable finale that most memorably reveals where those stolen fetuses went and what they were being used for…
Kôji Shiraishi made something of a career out of this sort of thing. Okaruto/Occult (2009), Shirome/White Eyes (2010), Cho Akunin/Hyper Villain (2011) and Bachiatari bouryuku ningen/Cursed Violent People (2011) all used the “mockumentary” format He eventually moved into more traditional story-telling and made the disappointing Sadako vs. Kayako (2016) which pitted the protagonists from Japan’s two most successful horror franchises against each other in an underwhelming clash of J-horror titans.
All these strands at first seem unconnected and the first hour of the film – which at 115 minutes is a good twenty minutes too long – can seem rambling and unfocused. It all starts to coalesce as the story progresses. Kobayashi, Marika and his never seen cameraman Miyajima find their way to the site of a former village, long submerged to make way for the Shimokage dam, where the locals performed rituals to appease the demon Kagutaba who they come to believe is behind all the mysteries. By the end of the film Kagutaba has been revealed to have manifested in the form of a minor character from earlier in the film and is responsible for Kobayashi’s disappearance.
Noroi: The Curse stands out among other found footage horror films for its unique storytelling and atmospheric approach. The movie effectively builds suspense and tension through its slow-burn narrative, using a combination of documentary-style footage, surveillance footage, and traditional filmmaking techniques. The film also explores themes of urban legends, paranormal activity, and the boundaries between reality and fiction. It combines elements of traditional Japanese folklore and modern horror tropes to create a chilling and unsettling viewing experience. Noroi: The Curse received critical acclaim for its innovative approach to the found footage genre and its ability to create a sense of dread and unease. It has gained a cult following among horror fans around the world and is often regarded as one of the best examples of Japanese horror cinema. In conclusion, Noroi: The Curse is a must-watch for horror enthusiasts, particularly those interested in found footage films. Its intriguing storyline, well-developed characters, and eerie atmosphere make it a standout entry in the genre..
Reviews for "The Legacy of Noroi: The Curse DVD in Horror Cinema"
1. Kate - 1/5 stars - I couldn't even finish watching "Noroi the Cursed DVD". The plot was slow and confusing, and the characters were poorly developed. The supposed scares were more laughable than anything else. I found myself rolling my eyes throughout the entire movie. Don't waste your time on this one.
2. Mike - 2/5 stars - "Noroi the Cursed DVD" had potential, but it fell flat for me. The found-footage style didn't add any originality to the film, and the scares felt forced and unoriginal. The story was convoluted and hard to follow, and I found myself losing interest halfway through. There are better horror movies out there to watch.
3. Rachel - 1/5 stars - This film was a disappointment. The acting was wooden, and the dialogue felt forced and unnatural. The supposed scares were predictable and lacked the tension that makes horror movies enjoyable. I was expecting something truly terrifying, but instead, I was left bored and unimpressed. I wouldn't recommend "Noroi the Cursed DVD" to anyone looking for a good horror flick.
4. John - 2/5 stars - "Noroi the Cursed DVD" started off promising, but it quickly lost its momentum. The shaky camerawork made it hard to follow the action, and the slow pacing dragged the film down. The story had potential, but it didn't deliver on its promises. I was left feeling unsatisfied and wanting more. Overall, I was disappointed with this film.