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The Next Reel Film PodcastA show about movies and how they connect. Author: TruStory FM
A show about movies and how they connect. We love movies. Weve been talking about them, one movie a week, since 2011. Its a lot of movies, thats true, but were passionate about origins and performance, directors and actors, themes and genres, and so much more. So join the community, and lets hear about your favorite movies, too. When the movie ends, our conversation begins. Language: en Genres: Film History, Film Reviews, TV & Film Contact email: Get it Feed URL: Get it iTunes ID: Get it Trailer: |
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Ju-on: The Curse
Episode 2
Thursday, 14 August, 2025
“The family that used to live there, they all either died or went missing.”From V-Cinema to Global Horror: The Birth of Ju-onTakashi Shimizu's Ju-on: The Curse (2000) emerged from two successful short films to launch one of Japan's most influential horror franchises. Originally released direct-to-video as part of Japan's V-Cinema movement, this low-budget supernatural horror film established the haunting mythology of Kayako, Toshio, and their curse that would eventually reach global audiences. Join us—Pete Wright and Andy Nelson—as we kick off our Silver Screams: 25 Years of Ju-on series with a conversation about Ju-on: The Curse.Breaking Down the CurseWe dive deep into the film's non-linear narrative structure, discussing how the six interconnected stories build a compelling mythology around the cursed house. We explore how Shimizu masterfully creates tension through minimal effects and strategic camera placement, particularly praising the effective use of still shots and lighting to build dread.Narrative Complexity and Character ConnectionsWe spend considerable time untangling the film's timeline, tracking how characters like Kobayashi, the Murakami family, and the real estate siblings connect to the central curse. Andy particularly appreciates how the film subverts traditional ghost story resolution tropes, while Pete notes the innovative approach to spiritual connection through the sake-drinking test.Key discussion points include: The original curse's creation through Takeo's jealous rageHow the curse spreads beyond the house's physical boundariesThe significance of Toshio's cat sounds and appearancesCultural context of home visits by teachersThe effectiveness of low-budget horror techniquesComparison to other J-horror franchises like RingTechnical Achievement and LegacyWe both praise Shimizu's ability to create genuinely unsettling moments despite budget constraints, particularly highlighting scenes like Kayako's stair-crawl and Toshio's classroom appearance. We discuss how these techniques would influence both future installments and Western horror cinema.A Franchise FoundationWhile acknowledging some rough edges in dialogue and performance, we agree that Ju-on: The Curse successfully establishes the franchise's core elements of cyclical fatalism and inescapable supernatural vengeance. The conversation touches on how these themes would be developed in subsequent films and international remakes. We have a great time talking about it, so check it out then tune in. The Next Reel—when the movie ends, our conversation begins!🎬 Watch & Discover🎥 See Our Full Conversation on YouTube🍿 Watch Takashi Shimizu’s Short Films Katasumi and 4444444444 (1998)🍿 Watch the Film: Amazon | Letterboxd📽️ Original Theatrical Trailer Support The Next Reel Family of Film Podcasts:Become a member for just $5/month or $55/yearJoin our Discord community of movie loversThe Next Reel Family of Film Podcasts:Cinema Scope: Bridging Genres, Subgenres, and MovementsThe Film BoardMovies We LikeThe Next Reel Film PodcastSitting in the DarkConnect With Us:Main Site: WebMovie Platforms: Letterboxd | FlickchartSocial Media: Facebook | Instagram | Threads | Bluesky | YouTube | PinterestYour Hosts: Andy | PeteShop & Stream:Merch Store: Apparel, stickers, mugs & moreWatch Page: Buy/rent films we've discussedOriginals: Source material from our episodesSpecial offers: Letterboxd Pro/Patron discount | Audible
