Ring
★★★★ · 4/5 · 1998
Watched on October 28, 2026
Starring: Nanako Matsushima, Hiroyuki Sanada, Rikiya Ôtaka
Director: Hideo Nakata
Cinematography: Junichiro Hayashi
Writers: Hiroshi Takahashi
Editor: Nobuyuki Takahashi
Composers: Kenji Kawai
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I enjoyed the 2002 American remake of Ring, but this version is definitely more authentic and inspired.
Director Hideo Nakata takes his time, letting the mystery and supernatural elements develop through strange imagery, quiet moments, and the videotape's own approaching deadline. Even more so than the remake, the world in this film feels ordinary, making the curse and Sadako all the more disturbing.
The score and sound design are fantastic and were an immediate standout to me. The various creepy noises do a lot to heighten the movie's unsettling nature and are especially effective with headphones. The musical score also complements the eerie atmosphere, even if the specific scene isn't climactic or very important.
The cursed videotape has become iconic and for good reason. It's definitely one of the film's strongest elements - the fragmented images gave me chills. It feels like you're watching something you weren't supposed to, but since it's integral to the plot of the story and solving the mystery, you have no choice but to pay close attention to it. I love how the significance and meanings behind the images change as the film progresses and the investigation unfolds.
I will admit that I didn't care for Ryuji's psychic connection. In general, I'm less interested in movies when characters have some sort of supernatural abilities that feel convenient to progressing the plot. That being said, the very end made me appreciate his role in the movie more.
Ring lived up to its reputation. It's an eerie but captivating film with a unique atmosphere that seems unique to Japanese films from directors like Kiyoshi Kurosawa. I'm definitely going to have to watch more films from Hideo Nakata, especially if they're like this. This is definitely my preferred version of Ring despite a few storytelling conveniences. The sound, restraint, and sense of dread make it superior in my opinion.
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