Is it a sequel? Is it a reboot? Is it a happening at the same time-quel? It’s all three! That’s right folks look at it however you want but the truth is it’s a little bit of all three. Having very little to do with the original Ju-On story other than a brief reference in the beginning of the film, that reference hints that the occurrences of this film are happening at the same time as the original film. The Grudge is told in a nonlinear fashion which can be a technique used to make a film more mysterious as it keeps the viewer off balance for most of the film. Which did happen to me here, in fact right as the ending credits begin to roll I had to go back and watch some of the scenes over in order the “get it”.
There are jump scares (seems that is all most horror films can do these days) as well as gross out gore scenes (which are only marginally better than the jump scares) aplenty. This gets ripped apart in many reviews but I’m not sure it’s entirely fair. Being compared to the original (even the inferior American original) is grading on a scale that this has no hopes of living up to. The film features some familiar faces and along with their presence their comes moments in the film where I feel as if there’s something about to happen that’s going to make the film better. Andrea Riseborough (Birdman and Mandy) plays Detective Muldoon who is investigating the case of a mother who murdered her entire family.
In a series of flashbacks, all
occurring in the same house over different generations. This is nothing new to Muldoon’s partner
Goodman, played by Demian Birchir (The Hateful 8 and Godzilla vs. Kong), who has gone through this before with his previous partner. Previous partner is Detective Wilson
played by William Sadler (The Mist and The Shawshank Redemption) who did not
deal with the house very well, let’s put it that way. Also making appearances in The Grudge are
Lin Shaye, John Cho, Jacki Weaver, and Frankie Faison. They all play characters effected by the
ghostly presence in the house over many generations. And if you don’t know who at least half of those
people are do you even watch movies bro?
Even though this doesn’t do well with most critics I found it OK, and
with all the familiar faces I was able to bump this to three clogged tub drains
out of five. Nothing special but I didn't hate is as much as most people seem to.
What the what?!?!?!? There was a new GRUDGE . . . . whatever this is . . . . in 2019. Just shows ta go ya how little interest I had in modern horror movies of 5 or so years ago. Endless (and needless) remakes, reboots and sequels that were usually awful. You don't seem to find this one too awful so I might just check it out. One day.
ReplyDeleteIt's several different stories that occur in the same house to different people who live there over several decades. If you think of it as an anthology film only all the different stories are intertwined you might not fall into the same trap I did and have to immediately re-watch several scenes. Don't go too far out of your way to see it I mean it's OK, I've seen several films way worse than this recently but I mean it's nothing to write home about.
ReplyDeleteI also had no clue there was a newer film. Totally missed it. I might check it out one day, too. Feel like my watchlist is eternal at this point.
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