The Grudge Reviews

I re-watched it today just an hour ago because I forgot the story and thought it was good, Pretty boring and slow-paced movie tbh and ngl the scary stuff is also straight-up bad, but the story is still good so it's kind of average, but don't watch it if you value time,a 4.5/10 ig

eh

Do not watch this movie, the jump scares are bad and predictable. I literally was on my phone the entire movie out of boredom and skipped it near the end just to see how it ends💀

People who don't like scary or eyes freak them out the eyes in this movie are horrifying. the rest is mediocre old horror vibe nice for an avid horror watcher.

that opening scene had me turning it off already 🤣🤣

It wasn't anything too special but it's a nice time killer.

non l'ho finito mi sono cacata sotto prima

A good mid movie for a date night. Reinvents the first movies without using all the same delivery methods. Servicable

decent

🫠

2/10 ⭐️

Caca culotte

9/10

Yea no. Just no. I couldn’t even finish it, it was so bad in my opinion. I genuinely wanna know what the hell I loved about it in the first place lmao. 1/10.

not that greattt sadly 5.5/10

Meh

é legalzin mas não quero dar like

This movie is scary from the get go and has many jump scares throughout the movie that keeps u on edge the plot is also really good with a good ending if u love horror with a lot of jump scares this is the one for you

Bit of a let down but it is good

Unsettled me, you’ll have to tuck in your toes after this one.

The Grudge (also known as The Grudge: The Untold Chapter) attempts a "soft reboot" of the American The Grudge film series, based on the terrifying Japanese Ju-On: The Grudge. Written and directed by Nicolas Pesce, this 2019 supernatural horror film promises to delve deeper into the cursed house's origins, taking place before and during the events of the 2004 film. It stars Andrea Riseborough, Demián Bichir, John Cho, Betty Gilpin, Lin Shaye, and Jacki Weaver, following a police officer investigating murders seemingly connected to the cursed residence. My initial reaction was one of cautious optimism, hoping for a fresh take on the familiar terror. My overall impression is that The Grudge (2019) is a frustratingly messy and ultimately ineffective horror film that squanders its talented cast and intriguing premise on a convoluted narrative, repetitive scares, and a distinct lack of genuine terror.

Rating:
3.8/10 ⭐️ (★½ - Bad)
A bad rating for a horror film that despite its ambitious narrative structure and capable cast, completely fails to deliver on scares, atmosphere, or a coherent plot, ultimately becoming a confusing and forgettable entry in the franchise.

The Good:
* Narrative & Story (Strengths): The premise of a curse being linked to multiple, seemingly disconnected murder investigations is inherently interesting and aims to expand the lore of the Grudge universe. The non-linear structure, which attempts to show multiple victims' encounters with the curse across different timelines, has potential to build suspense and illustrate the curse's pervasive nature.
* Characters (Strengths): The film boasts an impressive and talented cast, particularly Andrea Riseborough as Detective Muldoon, Demián Bichir as Goodman, John Cho as Peter Spencer, and especially Lin Shaye as Faith Matheson. These actors bring a level of commitment and intensity to their roles, often elevating the material they're given. Lin Shaye's portrayal of a woman succumbing to the curse is genuinely unsettling in moments.
* Directing & Filmmaking (Strengths): Nicolas Pesce, despite the film's overall flaws, shows occasional flashes of stylistic flair in isolated scenes. The cinematography by Zachary Galler attempts to create a bleak and unsettling atmosphere, utilizing muted colors and oppressive shadows that fit the horror genre.

The Not So Good:
* Narrative & Story (Weaknesses): The narrative is an absolute mess. The non-linear storytelling, rather than adding intrigue, is incredibly confusing and disjointed, jumping between multiple timelines and characters without clear transitions or enough context for the audience to fully grasp the connections. The film struggles to create a cohesive plot, feeling more like a series of loosely connected, repetitive scare sequences. The mythology of the curse, intended to be pushed forward, becomes muddled and inconsistent, making the supernatural element less terrifying and more perplexing. The decision to introduce new ghosts and mythology while still linking to the previous films feels like a weak attempt to have it both ways, resulting in a narrative that satisfies neither purists nor those looking for a clean reboot.
* Characters (Weaknesses): Despite the talent involved, the script provides very little character development or emotional depth for almost anyone. The characters are largely archetypes designed to be victims of the curse, making it impossible to care about their fates. Their motivations often feel unclear, and their reactions to the supernatural events are inconsistent. The attempts to make Detective Muldoon a compelling lead are undone by the chaotic plot and lack of clear character arc.
* Directing & Filmmaking (Weaknesses): Nicolas Pesce's direction, while attempting to be stylish, frequently falls flat. The film relies almost entirely on cheap jump scares and repetitive visual tropes (like figures appearing in the background or sudden noises) that quickly lose their effectiveness. The editing by Gardner Gould and Ken Blackwell exacerbates the narrative's disjointedness, making the film feel choppy and difficult to follow. The atmosphere, instead of being genuinely terrifying, becomes tedious.
* Technical Aspects (Weaknesses): While the film has some moments of disturbing imagery, the overall visual effects for the ghosts are inconsistent, sometimes appearing generic or less convincing than needed to truly scare. The music by The Newton Brothers, while striving for a creepy tone, often becomes generic horror accompaniment.
* Enjoyment & Engagement (Negatives): The Grudge (2019) is a deeply frustrating and ultimately unengaging viewing experience. The confusing plot, repetitive scares, and lack of compelling characters make it incredibly difficult to stay invested. It's a film that constantly promises terror but rarely delivers, leaving the audience bored and confused rather than frightened.

The Verdict:
The Grudge (2019) is a profoundly disappointing entry in the long-running horror franchise. Despite boasting a talented cast and an intriguing premise, Nicolas Pesce's direction is muddled by a convoluted, non-linear narrative that utterly fails to build tension or deliver genuine scares. The film relies on cheap jump scares and a confusing timeline, squandering any potential for a fresh take on the iconic curse. It is an unfortunately forgettable and largely ineffective horror film that neither honors its predecessors nor carves out its own unique identity. Not recommended for horror fans looking for substance or scares; it's a prime example of a franchise running on fumes.

Optional Additional Categories:
* Genre & Tone: The film attempts to be a psychological thriller and supernatural horror, but its tone is wildly inconsistent, shifting between grim attempts at seriousness and moments of accidental absurdity. It struggles to maintain a coherent scary atmosphere.
* Target Audience: It ostensibly targets horror fans, particularly those familiar with The Grudge franchise, but its poor execution likely alienated many viewers.
* Originality & Innovation: Despite claims of new mythology, the film feels highly derivative, relying on established Grudge tropes without innovating its storytelling or scare tactics. Its non-linear structure, intended as innovative, instead becomes a hindrance.
* Themes & Messages (Further Discussion): The film attempts to explore themes of inherited trauma and the pervasive nature of evil, but these are lost in the narrative's chaotic execution, becoming superficial rather than deeply explored.
* Comparison to Other Films: It pales in comparison to the original Ju-On: The Grudge (2002) and even the 2004 American remake. It joins the ranks of many uninspired horror reboots that fail to capture the essence of their source material.