#rasen

Original Title: らせん (Rasen, "Spiral") - originally release in North America as Rasen and in Europe as The Spiral but now can be found primarily as Spiral so that's the title I'll use here

Synopsis: Forensic doctor Mitsuo Andō seeks answers to the mysterious death of a friend and soon comes into contact with the same cursed videotape that caused the death of the friend's wife and son, which is haunted by the curse of Sadako, a relentless spirit.

Year/Country: 1998 | Japan

Subgenres: supernatural, curse, ghost, j-horror

Reason for watching: I stumbled upon Koji Suzuki's book Spiral at the library on my birthday and took that as a sign to read this sequel to Ring (the source material for Ringu/The Ring - probably my favorite horror films). I read Ring years ago but had never looked for the sequels. I really liked Spiral and found it to be an interesting veering based on the story as I know it. When I found there was a movie adaptation, I added it to this list for this year.

Highlights: I do enjoy an investigative/detective mystery and watching the clues come together.

Lowlights: Some of the most interesting things in the book are left out or changed (ah, the joy of watching a movie too soon after reading the book source material). Also, for Ringu fans it's just so chaotic because of the inconsistencies - perhaps most jarringly that of Sadako who is less onryō and more seductress.

Rewatchabilty: Perhaps

Overall review: After watching I learned the production history of this - it was actually filmed the same time/immediately after Ringu and released at the same time in theatres. While it shares some of the same cast, the directors/writers were different and that shows. It has a more science fiction feel than Ringu and takes the story in a different direction that is somewhat retconned out of the franchise by the other sequels. That said, I think it can also work as a standalone movie and while not as scary as Ringu is a fun watch - though it is more emotional with a drama bend to it.