Welcome to a new week, I hope you are all well. Today I have chosen ghosts, but specifically, vengeful ghosts.
Monster Mondays posts may be fiction, film reviews, book reviews or me waxing lyrical about a particular monster. Monsters can be paranormal, sci-fi, fantasy or even simply human. So basically, anything monster goes. I also invite anyone who would like to, to join in with their own post. (See end for details).
Ju-on: The Grudge - Scare Forever
Now the concept of a ghost, no matter how innocent they were in life, coming back as a vengeful spirit is something of a universal concept. However, ghosts that come back not simply to seek revenge on the one who caused their pain, or their families, but all of the living is done particularly well in Asian cinema. My favourite of all Asian horror is Ju-on: The Grudge.
In recent years Western horror seems to have been taking tips from Asian horror, but when I first saw The Grudge, most of our horror movies were still entrenched in lots of gore and up front shock value. I think that's why me and my husband found The Grudge so damn terrifying.
This starts off as a film of fleeting glimpses and long build ups with the horrifying sound. It's really the sound that makes it. I can't hear that death rattle without goosepimples raising on my arms and looking to the nearest stairs :).
Of course what makes the ghosts so terrifying is that once they have you in their sights there is nothing you can do. Hiding in your room and blocking out all light might work for a while, but they will find you. These ghosts are tied to where they died, but they can travel. The idea that stepping into a house curse you simply by being there is terrifying and that leaving doesn't save you is even more terrifying still. These are the ultimate monsters.
I love The Grudge because it breaks the rules. You're safe under the covers, right? Not in The Grudge.
Heeding the warnings of the ghosts and getting the hell out of Dodge saves you doesn't it? Not in the Grudge.
Finding out the truth and bringing all the evil into the light saves you, it has too, surely? Nope.
Being an official and not believing in any of this nonsense keeps you safe, of course? Hell no!
There is only one rule in The Grudge: the monsters win. It's awesome and it scares the hell out of me every time I watch it :).
Have you seen The Grudge? Are you a fan of Asian horror? Do you like horror at all?
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the "Ghost" inn the Grudge ... is a type of "Vengeful" Spirit... (often referred to as a "Reverant").... and they are "relentless" in the pursuit of there "chosen victim".... and there is No escape... it may even be years later till it finally finds you to finish you off...
ReplyDeletebut till it finds you it will be in the shadows ... searching out its chosen target.....
Scary, scary entities! Would not like to bump into one of those.
DeleteI love The Grudge - and yeah, it's the noise, but also, those eyes, the way they stare. And the bed! Excellent, excellent scare!
ReplyDeleteThat scene is just so not on! You're supposed to be safe under the covers!
DeleteAaaargh.... The Grudge is one of those films that always creeps me out... and I think its level of creep is infinitely scarier than being actually afraid. Great choice. :)
ReplyDeleteAlex Hurst, A Fantasy Author in Kyoto