Nicholas Pesce, director of one of my favorite horror films of 2017 - The Eyes of My Mother, directs this version of Ju-On/The Grudge. But unlike his 2017 film, this one is not good. This new Grudge film is more of a side quest or, if you will, a side-quel. It's not an exact remake or reboot of the Ju-On lore, but it takes place around the same times as the events that occurred in the 2004 Grudge film, which starred Sarah Michelle Gellar.
Outside of the ever wonderful Lin Shaye (Insidious, among many other movies), the acting in this movie is dreadful. Even the great John Cho (you really should go watch 2018's Searching if you haven't yet) can't do much to help save the story. The jump scares are numerous but you can see them -all- coming a mile away. And they are repetitive. The film is 93 minutes long but easily feels about 3-4 times longer. Overall it's bland and adds nothing positive to the Ju-On lore. And don't get me started on the ending - it's one of the worst I've seen in a horror film in quite some time.
Stay away from this film. Go watch the 2002 original (really good) or the 2004 US remake (good to average). You'll be better off. I hope this film is a lesson to all future filmmakers to not even think about remaking or adding to this story again in the future.
NAYK Rating: Loathe Entirely
