Noroi (The Curse)

Noroi (The Curse), 2005

Directed by Koji Shiraishi, 
Written by: Kôji Shiraishi (uncredited)

Starring: Jin Muraki, Masafumi Kobayashi, Marika Matsumoto, Maria Takagi, Mitsuo Hori and Rio Kanno.

Language: Japanese

Country/ Pays: Nippon/ Japan/ Japon.

Running Time: 115 mins.
Release Date: Aout 20, 2005.

BHI Rating: 10/10.

Firstly, if you claim to be a hardcore horror head junkie and have missed out on Kôji Shiraishi’s 2005 offering known as Noroi, you have probably missed out on one of the most spectacular, yet darkest movie ever made on the soil.

And, before you jump the gun as to whether or not this seems to be one of those typical Japanese/ Korean clones, I would prefer you to stop right there.

The truth is that Noroi does draw inspiration from the original Ju-On series. A comparison to the The Blair Witch Project and Paranormal Activity is more than obvious. There you go, you’ve already begun to groan.

Make no mistake, while Paranormal Activity and it’s subsequent installments have been busy causing a rip-roaring buzz in the media and the box office, there’s more than meets the eye. Because Noroi also known as [“The Curse”] was filmed in 2004 and later released in 2005. Paranormal Activity was filmed and released in 2007 at film festivals. And Paranormal in my opinion remains static in comparison to its Japanese counterpart. Also, if you talk about authenticity, originality, or diversity, look no further.

If you shall allow me, I shall definitely take you on this dark journey. Here’s the deal. Masafumi Kobayashi  is a journalist, who specializes in documenting so-called paranormal events. This becomes all the more apparent, the moment you pop your disc inside your machine.

His latest venture is the one where he tries to discover the strange happenings in a Japanese household. A woman in her mid 20’s alarms the protagonist, as she becomes wary and suspicious of her next-door neighbor and son’s behavior. She claims that she happens to hear strange sounds reminiscent of babies crying, although she’s never been seen with any.

The plot thickens further when Kobayashi and his cameraman attempt to interview the strange lady by the name of Junko Ishii. Kobayashi remains unsuccessful, as Junko turns hostile, but his cameraman happens to get a tad lucky as they manage to not only capture a little boy through the windowpane in the footage, but also the vivid sounds described by Junko Ishii’s neighbor.

Following this, we have series of TV shows which delve deeper into topics of paranormal such as students taking ESP Tests and News Reports talking about mysterious killings in and around the neighborhood.

Another highlight of this mockumentary is the introduction of a character by the name of Mitsuo Hori, who is supposedly a super psychic. There are several scenes where Kobayashi and his cameraman try to interview this individual and all hell breaks loose.

Apart from Mitsuo Hori the psychic, there is a fine ensemble cast to the likes of Marika Matsumoto, Maria Takagi, and Rio Kanno. I have to admit that none of the crew members boast of any hype, yet deliver the goods in a manner so profound and unique, that I’m yet to see in any of those in overhyped Oscar-nominated flicks. You know exactly what I mean!

Furthermore, you will see the overzealous Kobayashi continuing his perennial quest for the truth, which takes us into an enlightening journey of ancient Japanese folklore, which talks of villages that operate and function in a clandestine fashion, which is intriguing.

There are several scenes, which are shot in the woods close to the village and popular ghost sighting shrines, which further heightens the tension. Everything you wanted to know about demonic possession, rituals, etc begins and ends here.

I can’t help but say this, but there are two brilliantly juxtaposed climax sequences that are to die for. The soundscape in the backdrop throughout the film is eerie and downright creepy and sets the atmosphere just right.

So, some might say that Noroi is a fine concoction of The Ring, The Blair Witch Projekt or The Grudge being put together yet continues to portray its authenticity with its utterly brilliant and original script. However, I must warn you that this fare is strictly for the niche subterranean cult fans. Hats off to the creative team who have managed to put this together so well. So much for Hollywood’s predictable gore fests at your local cinemas. To hell with their overdone and done-to-death bloodletting gore fests. Isn't that a tad passe now? 

Noroi, unlike the former, is a bloodless affair, which remains superior and unpredictable until it’s final moments, until your dead. Now, go and watch only to be scared sh*tless!

The DVD is available on Amazon.Com on the following link: http://www.amazon.com/NOROI-CURSE-Thriller-English-subtitled/dp/B003863KHI/ref=sr_1_1?s=movies-tv&ie=UTF8&qid=1319832785&sr=1-1

Well, if you're brave enough, you can choose to venture and find out for yourself. Seizei Ganbatte and that's Good Luck in Japanese in the most polite sense.

Here are 3 Updated Trailer Links: 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ElY07I-HICA (Spanish subs)*

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qdsjd6jEzfk&t=5s (The Midnight Selections)*

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GyDMPjBg7o0 (A Shudder Exclusive)*

Review by: (Jason) for Black Hills Industry.