The Ring

The mysterious death of a young relative leads journalist Rachel (Naomi Watts) to a cursed videotape containing a mysterious film: anyone who watches it will die within seven days. Rachel deciphers clues from the film and stumbles upon a bizarre murder case, while the curse puts her, her ex-boyfriend and her young son in mortal danger. Nakata Hideo's Japanese film hit of the same name triggered the J-horror boom at the turn of the millennium, and although the narrative has been smoothed out for the Hollywood remake, the iconic key attractions remain: The videotape looks like a surrealist avant-garde film, ‘like somebody's nightmare’, and it's all about nightmarish mood painting. Aesthetically, the film draws on David Lynch, including his Mulholland Drive lead actress. The result: beautiful designer horror in a sad green-blue colour. (C.H.)