Ring of Curse (2011) User Reviews

Familiar . . . yet different.

[ebossert · 7/10 · 26 May 2012]

A highschool girl believes that her classmate is murdering people by using written words that coerce death. This low-budget film spins the "curse" sub-genre of Japanese horror in different ways. First of all, the structure of the storyline is broken into three "diary" entries which portray the perspectives of the two main characters (some very interesting monologue and dialogue to enjoy here). There is ample use of narration which develops both the protagonist and antagonist very nicely. Second, the method of killing straddles the boundary between pure psychological manipulation and supernatural ability, which is very unique for a film of this kind. There is a tempered creepiness but no onryo ghosts at all. Deliberately paced, but this has quality acting and is memorable despite touching upon genre clichés. On a side note, the runtime is only 85 minutes and almost all of the scary moments occur during the daytime. The ending "message" by the actresses is amusing.

Worth a look.

Seen it before.

[Patient444 · 5/10 · 17 June 2015]

Ring Of Curse contains elements from other movies, it pretty much just ripped a few stories, put them together and got an OK movie. It does feel disappointing tho, cause they didn't really try too much, but rather relaid on more successful stories instead so all they had to do was go fishing.

Can't believe I'm saying this, but I am annoyed and a little mad, thus I think it is better if I don't recommend this little production right here. If you are not too familiar with the Asian Horror Cinema, Ring Of Curse might seem like a breath of fresh air, but if you are, you'll pick up the signs in no time.

So without spoiling it too much, I don't wanna influence your decision in no way whatsoever, this movie will get a 5 from me. Right in the middle, I'll let others tell you more about it. As mentioned before, it left me with a bad taste in my mouth. Sorry to say so.

Cheers!

Too low budget to do much

[Leofwine_draca · 5/10 · 25 February 2021]

RING OF CURSE (2011, original title Gomennasai) is a low budget slice of Japanese horror with a high school setting. Suzuki Airi plays a schoolgirl who gets drawn into the story that develops between a bullied social outcast, played by Natsuyaki Miyabi, and the in-crowd who spend their time tormenting her. When Miyabi brings down a curse on her abusers, mysterious deaths soon begin piling up. It's another tale about bullying and social alienation with relatively understated supernatural elements.

This felt, to me, like a cross between a couple of all-time Japanese classics, namely RING and DEATH NOTE. The curse takes the form of a haunted novel rather than a VHS tape or diary. It feels quite pedestrian throughout and is noticeably cheap, taking place in just a single classroom and a few apartments besides. The actors are okay but you wonder what a director like Takashi Miike or Sion Sono working with a proper budget could have done with the material. The end result is acceptable enough, but more for the fans than someone looking for a good introduction to the J-horror genre.

Outstanding Film

[Foxbarking · 10/10 · 28 June 2014]

So often nowadays, watching a movie at home competes with other activities. My sister usually will be on the internet and listens to a movie. I will sometimes read in or out or play video games while watching. With "Gomennasai," I was totally glued to the screen. Although the first assumption may be that I have to watch the screen because then I can read the subtitles, I actually speak Japanese so I didn't have to do that.

This movie presents a plot that revolves around the power of words to kill. Recently, I had the pleasure of watching the movie "Pontypool," which showed the power that words had to change people into zombie like creatures. In "Gomennasai," no such thing happens. But the words of a certain school girl have the power to curse and to kill.

Kurohane is a very unpopular girl, likely due to her dark and somewhat morbid appearance. Completely rejected by her family, she is also hated by her schoolmates. In a way to antagonize her, the girls in the school decide to torment her by having her write a script for a school production. Kurohane is actually very open to do this because it allows her to experiment with the power of words to kill people.

"Gomennasai" is definitely a movie that has to be right for you in order to enjoy it. The budget was obviously very small and it is a very short movie. However, it thrives on the strength of the screenplay and the actors in the movie. I had no idea where this movie was taking me as I watched it, but it turned out to be a place I was happy to go. Very seldomly does a movie exhibit any originality in today's age. But this film does. It has an ending that ties things together in a way you likely will not see coming. An excellent film that should be enjoyed.

Interesting story

[e_pnd · 8/10 · 16 October 2013]

I come for this movie because of Buono! This movie seemed ordinary... that was my first impression. I found it different after I watched it. This is pretty entertaining Japanese movie, especially in storyline. It can be little compared with clever problem-solving movie such as Deathnote (2006). Based on comments in several forums, a lot of watchers find the ending quite shocking, although they know it is only a fiction. But, I have to admit that sound designing and camera shooting were not quite good as the film goes. In addition, some actions look less natural in some scenes. Despite the fact, this movie can be enjoyed from the beginning until the end.

good movie

[devilhellgamer · 8/10 · 4 June 2020]

At first i want to say i love Airi Suzuki she is so beautiful, talent and had a beautiful soul also her songs are amazing. when i know she made horror movie with buono members i was curious to see it. the film is based on novel send on internet that buono feel they want to be part of it by making his movie. it talk about student who get abused from her family and friends so she begin to write cursed note that make everyone read it get cursed and die yes similar to death note but its was interesting idea. the movie was like a indie movie or Documentary film that due to low-budget but it wasn't a bad and wasn't great either but it sucess to make feel unwell and get under ur skin. the acting was great i didn't know that buono are also talent at acting. so it was a good horror movie u should watch it.