The Last Curse of Ju-On The Ju-On series is a popular Japanese horror franchise consisting of films, television series, and video games. It revolves around a cursed house and the vengeful spirits that haunt it. The last installment in the series, titled "The Last Curse of Ju-On", is a fitting conclusion to the terrifying tale. The main idea of "The Last Curse of Ju-On" is the continuation of the curse that originated in the haunted house. The story follows a new family who moves into the cursed house and becomes entangled in the horror and tragedy that lurks within its walls. As they uncover the dark secrets of the house, they realize that no one can escape the curse, and its malevolent force will stop at nothing to claim more victims.
Japanese horror movies scare me as they tend to spend more time building atmosphere and often veer away from overusing jump scares, as well their plots tend to involve subtle supernatural elements that do not overwhelm the film. Yet, what I find to be the most chilling and captivating element of this franchise, is not necessarily the supernatural appearances of Toshi, Kayako, and The Women in White (our Onryo(s)), but the very tragic and disturbing events that led to their deaths and rebirths as vengeful spirits in the first place. The truly unsettling aspect is the narrative of violence towards women and children, and the silent suffering they endure in their homes, within a system that is unable to help them. When Takashi Shimizu created these films he was not only inspired by the “Onryo” vengeful ghost mythology, but also the rise of domestic abuse cases that were emerging out of Japan in the late 90s.
Even as Japan continued to modernize and lead the world in technological advancements, a majority of politicians were socially conservative and didn t see Japan dealing with the same issues as the West. When Takashi Shimizu created these films he was not only inspired by the Onryo vengeful ghost mythology, but also the rise of domestic abuse cases that were emerging out of Japan in the late 90s.
As they uncover the dark secrets of the house, they realize that no one can escape the curse, and its malevolent force will stop at nothing to claim more victims. Throughout the film, the main characters are tormented by the vengeful spirits that haunt the house. The director effectively builds tension and suspense, using jump scares and eerie atmospheric scenes to keep the audience on edge.
Review of Ju-On: The Curse
Ju-On: The Curse is one of those movies you watch, you enjoy, and when it’s over, you then read about the plot on wikipedia and try to figure out what the hell you just watched!
I have seen, but have yet to write about, The Grudge, the most familiar film of the Ju-On series. (The original Japanese film, not the American) Ju-On: The Grudge is decent but confusing. I was going to write up a review right after seeing it, but I decided to wait until I had seen the lesser-known prequels. Perhaps then, I would have more to say about The Grudge. With a solid knowledge of the back-story, I would be armed with experience and more able to write a decent review. The Movie Doctor inside my brain agreed and he prescribed for me initial viewings of Ju-On: The Curse and Ju-On: The Curse 2, along with a second viewing of Ju-On: The Grudge. So I have swallowed the first pill (The Curse), and…… I am less confused. Hooray! Still…I don’t know. I feel I am missing something. But the doctor is ordering me to complete my therapy, so this I will do. Also, he suggested I read up on the subject. Yes Doc, will do.
Ju-On: The Curse is a Japanese film that is available with English subtitles. It is about a house and a little boy, who at first comes off as disturbed, perhaps sad, but is otherwise normal. Then his face contorts and he meows like a cat in agony. There is also this young, bluish-faced woman who pops out of cubbyholes. Then there’s this girl who is missing a lower-jaw – yikes! These are the ghosts, and there are several more. They are all connected, in some way, to this house that is at the center of the story. Did I say story? Perhaps it’s better to say stories! There are six tales, each named after an important character within each story. The stories are all connected; some take place within the haunted house; which is a modern home in a suburb of Tokyo. The tales that take place elsewhere feature characters that have been inside the house. But just because they are outside the terrifying confines it does not mean they are safe. No siree Bob! The terror follows them!
Now, here’s the kicker! The stories are not shown in sequence. Story 1 might be take place after Story 4. Perhaps Story 4 takes place after Story 2, or maybe Story 6 sets it all in motion, or is that story 5? Some films succeed with this kind of non-linear storytelling. Pulp Fiction is one example of such a success. Ju-On is not. The tone of this film is effectively eerie, but I was forced to come down from my “creepy high” in order to figure out what is what, only to fail at this pursuit of understanding. Hence, I was forced to go elsewhere to learn the modus operandi of the story.
The title of the films translates roughly to “Curse Grudge”, which means putting up a curse while bearing a grudge against someone or something. The first two films in the series were so-called V-Cinema, or direct-to-video releases, but became surprise hits as the result of favorable word of mouth. Both films were shot in nine days and feature a story that is a variation on the classic haunted house theme, as well as a popular Japanese horror trope, the “vengeful ghost” (onryō). The titular curse, ju-on, is one which takes on a life of its own and seeks new victims. Anyone who encounters a ghost killed by the curse is killed themselves and the curse is able to be spread to other areas.”
Some of my confusion is no fault of the film and can be attributed to my ignorance of Japanese language and culture. Perhaps I would feel more at home with the film had I known the definition of “Ju-On;” or if I had the concept of the onryō engrained in my cultural psyche. But how does this “curse” play out? The film understates this, if it states it at all.
According to Ju-On, when a person dies with a deep and powerful rage, a curse is born. The curse gathers in the place where that person has died or where they were frequently at, and repeats itself there.
Yeah, I didn’t get this. Without the above description, I would be at a loss to the whys and wherefores. Basically, a family is brutally murdered inside their home (the house that is central to the story) and the ghosts of the victims come back and kill others that enter the home. Or, the ghosts will follow people that have entered the home and kill them elsewhere. The curse spreads and lives on.
I am always appreciating fresh approaches to haunted house tales. And fresh this is! A tragedy within the walls creates a curse that spreads to those that enter the house. It attaches itself to them, so that they just might happen to take a couple of ghosts home with them. I like it! It fits in nicely with the “Houses that exist as entities” theme that I have come to love
But for me, this series would be so much more effective it the film makers would just stick to good old fashion linear storytelling. I would be able to trace the deadly path of the curse had stories been shown from beginning to end. The ghosts in this film, they are so darn creepy! Their faces are horrific, their movements uncanny. And the sounds they make when moving along? Unnerving, but in a “gotta love it, it’s horror” kind of way! Alas, the out-of-sequence storytelling is a trademark of the series. Fine! I will bear with it. I just wish this series didn’t have to make me work so much in order to appreciate it!
The Ju-on, or Grudge curse is created when someone is violently murdered and suffers so much emotional agony that their spirit (called “onryō”) essentially becomes part of the home in which they died. If anyone has the misfortune of discovering said home, that person is infected by the spirit’s undying rage. The onryō follows the victims back to where they live and kills them as an act of revenge.
The ghostly apparitions, pale skin, long black hair, and blood-curdling cries of the spirits add to the horror and make "The Last Curse of Ju-On" a truly terrifying experience. The film also delves into the origins of the curse, revealing the tragic events that took place in the past and led to the house becoming a breeding ground for supernatural evil. Through flashbacks and haunting paranormal encounters, the audience learns about the dark history that has plagued the house for generations. As the story progresses, the characters become increasingly desperate to break free from the curse. They seek help from paranormal experts, conduct rituals, and even attempt to destroy the house itself. However, their efforts only seem to fuel the rage of the spirits and bring about even more horrifying consequences. "The Last Curse of Ju-On" ends with a chilling twist that leaves the audience questioning the nature of the curse and its true power. It serves as a reminder that, no matter how hard one may try to escape the horrors of the past, the lingering curse will always find a way to exact its vengeance. In conclusion, "The Last Curse of Ju-On" is a spine-chilling horror film that explores the continuation of the cursed house's legacy and the devastating consequences for those who dare to enter its domain. The main idea of the film revolves around the inescapability of the curse and the relentless pursuit of its vengeful spirits. It is a fitting conclusion to the Ju-On series and is sure to leave a lasting impression on horror enthusiasts..
Reviews for "Beyond the Grudge: Delving into Ju on's Last Curse"
- John Doe - 2 stars - I was really disappointed with "The Last Curse of Ju On". The movie lacked originality and failed to live up to the scares and suspense of its predecessors. The storyline felt rushed and the characters were one-dimensional. The jump scares felt cliché and predictable, and there was a noticeable lack of genuine terror. Overall, it was a letdown for fans of the Ju On series.
- Jane Smith - 1 star - I couldn't stand "The Last Curse of Ju On". The film was a complete mess from start to finish. The plot was convoluted and hard to follow, with too many unnecessary twists that only added confusion. The acting was subpar, and the characters were forgettable. The scares were cheap and relied heavily on loud noises and sudden movements rather than building tension and delivering genuine fright. It felt like a cheap imitation of the earlier movies in the Ju On franchise.
- Michael Johnson - 2 stars - "The Last Curse of Ju On" was a disappointment. The film lacked the haunting atmosphere and suspense that made the earlier Ju On movies so memorable. The scares felt forced and fell flat, with no real sense of dread or unease. The characters were uninteresting and the storyline was predictable. It felt like a cash grab attempting to capitalize on the success of the previous films, but failed to deliver anything memorable or worthwhile.