I've just finished watching this series and I'm torn. Torn in the fact that I loved the original films (the American ones were OK) but pretty disappointed with this series, and I so wanted to like this BECAUSE of the films. Unfortunately, this series is nothing really like the films for the vast majority of time and seems to just veer off on its own direction. Also torn in wondering how this series manages to get ratings of 7 and higher from people as I just don't see it myself.
Anyway, the series starts off OK, but it doesn't really get much better and ends on a bit of a cliffhanger so I guess a 2nd series will be in the making (unless it gets The Glades treatment). This doesn't have a linear storyline either and it jumps around quite a bit, so if you're not paying any attention then it's very easy to get lost. I watched all 6 episodes within the space of a day and still caught myself trying to remember who certain characters were. It seems to intertwine various couples' experiences who've moved into the "ghost house" over a span of years, but like I say, this gets a bit complicated tracking who's who if you're not paying close attention, which is hard to do when the series is lacking in any great amount of interest.
Another thing that was a huge let down was the lack of atmosphere, scares and overall creep factor. There were a few of these moments scattered about but the films were much better in all three areas. The series just lacked SO much in what I've come to expect from J-Horror films and I think that was the biggest disappointment for me. In actuality, this felt more like some kind of Drama than a Horror series.
In comparison to the films, this was a big disappointment. If you like the whole Ju-on universe, then there's no harm in giving this series a go, but just be aware you may be let down like I was.
Anyway, the series starts off OK, but it doesn't really get much better and ends on a bit of a cliffhanger so I guess a 2nd series will be in the making (unless it gets The Glades treatment). This doesn't have a linear storyline either and it jumps around quite a bit, so if you're not paying any attention then it's very easy to get lost. I watched all 6 episodes within the space of a day and still caught myself trying to remember who certain characters were. It seems to intertwine various couples' experiences who've moved into the "ghost house" over a span of years, but like I say, this gets a bit complicated tracking who's who if you're not paying close attention, which is hard to do when the series is lacking in any great amount of interest.
Another thing that was a huge let down was the lack of atmosphere, scares and overall creep factor. There were a few of these moments scattered about but the films were much better in all three areas. The series just lacked SO much in what I've come to expect from J-Horror films and I think that was the biggest disappointment for me. In actuality, this felt more like some kind of Drama than a Horror series.
In comparison to the films, this was a big disappointment. If you like the whole Ju-on universe, then there's no harm in giving this series a go, but just be aware you may be let down like I was.