User Score
7.9 out of 10

Generally favorable reviews- based on 21 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 19 out of 21
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 21
  3. Negative: 2 out of 21

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  1. wongit
    Feb 9, 2005
    8
    I dont scare easily, but for some reason this one really did give me chills. I dont know, i really liked this film. You have to pay attention to enjoy it, and watch it more then once. I think its scarrier then the american version by far, but for story, american is definetly better.
    • 0 of 0 users said yes
  2. xy
    Jan 30, 2005
    8
    I LOVED IT!
    • 0 of 0 users said yes
  3. BenjaminBunny
    Feb 10, 2005
    8
    I'm jaded as all hell, and this film scared the s... out of me! To the naysayers: it's true that some logistical story elements don't always seem to add up at first glance, but really plot-points are beside the point here. Just enjoy this seriously CREEPY film for what it is, a mysterious horror film and a damn elegant one at that.
    • 0 of 0 users said yes
  4. M(ichael)B.
    Feb 10, 2005
    8
    I found this a very effective film, for its genre. Perhaps because I speak Japanese and am somewhat familiar with the culture, I found the reactions of the characters both believable and compelling, though very different from what you'd get from Hollywood these days. There are no CGI effects, and no hip, ironic deconstruction of the genre. What you have is an episodic story, which fits together eventually. Although the same character is featured in the first and last episode, there is no single character at the center of the story, except for the cursed house itself. Director Shimizu and his cast are very efficient in briefly but subtlely delineating each of the visitors to the house with a few brushstrokes. Expand
    • 0 of 0 users said yes
  5. JohnE.
    Oct 9, 2006
    10
    Totally unlike any normal horror film, this will stay with you long after you have watched it. Some very creepy images along with creepy minimal music. A must for any genuine horror fan.
    • 0 of 0 users said yes
  6. AndieV.
    Jul 2, 2007
    10
    this movie scared the shit out of me! for those people who said it was boring: "do you see dead corpses everyday and is use to it or something?" anyways, i had night mares for 2 weeks after seeing this.
    • 0 of 0 users said yes
  7. BobA.
    Nov 1, 2004
    7
    I peed my pants watching this movie.
    • 0 of 0 users said yes
  8. SangHeeJ.
    Mar 28, 2005
    10
    One of my favorite movies. Enough to shock you for a long time, but also terrifying in its own way right at the showing. The movie is much better than the American remake, better for explaining, story, plot, and acting. it was much better than the remake. It was better than the Ring and is one of my favorite movies. Done in an unusual and captivating style that is sure to make the movie stick out in your mind, and not just be another horror film. Wonderfully well-done and a great movie. Definetly recommended. Expand
    • 0 of 0 users said yes
  9. Daniel
    Oct 17, 2004
    8
    Disturbingly creepy and spine chilling stuff!! This is THE SCARIEST movie of all time! Its may have has disjointed characters and story line... but it all comes together in the end. RECOMMENDED for all Horror buffs!
    • 0 of 0 users said yes
  10. DT
    Dec 15, 2004
    2
    Even in serial movies, it is best to offer some conclusion at the end of each episode. This movie does not do that, and since I haven't seen the previous films, this was a waste of my time. If viewed in sequence, I might have a different opinion, but that was not the case.
    • 0 of 0 users said yes
  11. kc
    Nov 13, 2004
    3
    It's creepy for about 20 minutes, and then it's repetitive, laughable -- and well, inexplicable. We left the theatre actually eager to see the dumb American version so we could figure out what the hell just happened.
    • 0 of 0 users said yes
  12. HitomiN.
    Nov 29, 2004
    10
    I like scary movies... but i get scared in the end... i couldn't sleep the first night, i slept with the lights on and the door closed... it realli freaked me out.... also...i'm onli 13 years old!!!!!
    • 0 of 0 users said yes
  13. Feb 13, 2011
    8
    Ju-On, during a first viewing, can seem a bit puzzling as to what is precisely going on. However, persevere with this chilling film. Though I personally find Ringu (The Ring) to be an overall better movie, this film keeps the spine-chill factor at a constant high, in comparison to The Ring's ebb and flow. Even some of the scenes which occur in broad daylight (particular the balcony and the new home owner) ooze creepiness. Yes, it's true, the acting can be a bit shoddy, but any lingering doubts on acting methods will soon dissipate when the scares arrive and you can be sure they'll be coming thick and fast. Considering the low-budget nature of the film - for the most part, make-up is about as advanced as it gets - I was amazed at the terrifying nature of the film. This is genuine horror. No sharp gloves or chainsaws here, just a brilliant array of scenes that encourages your mind to interpret, and largely generate, the scares. Expand
  14. Feb 7, 2012
    8
    To a Japanese audience, Ju-on may very well be regarded as a generic horror film. But, show it to people that are unaccustomed to and uneducated on the vast cultural differences of its home country, and you will instantly be able to affect them in a way that you couldn't within your own borders. The movie's very 'foreignness' is one of its biggest assets, aiding Westerners in feeling as if they are witnessing horrifying events, rather than being the subject of them. The plot is probably unnecessarily convoluted for what the story is, but all of the cryptic symbolism and subtle spiritual questioning inject the film with a purpose beyond the initial aim of scaring. Sound effects, editing, camera placement and direction are all at a superb level, adding up to something that an English-language remake could never have translated fully. Expand
Metascore

Mixed or average reviews - based on 22 Critics

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 6 out of 22
  2. Negative: 4 out of 22
  1. 60
    Basically, what you have in Ju-On is a collection of effectively scary sights and sounds - sound effects play a huge part in rolling that chill down your spine – and that's about it.
  2. Reviewed by: Derek Elley
    50
    A haunted-house one-trick pony.
  3. 40
    Ju-on never snaps into focus like a "Go" or a "Pulp Fiction," and what at first registers as sloppy plotting starts to seem positively diabolical.