Although the trailer has been out for over a month now, given that my doctoral dissertation was all about feminine vengeful spirits in Japanese theatre and cinema, I feel almost obligated to make a post about the latest “Sadako” film in the Ringu (リング) franchise.
Directed by Kimura Hisashi (木村ひさし) and scheduled to be released in fall later this year, Sadako DX promises new innovations to one of the greatest J-horror film franchises in Japanese cinema.
As a franchise that has spanned 25 years, it is both interesting and refreshing for this film to apparently return to the original “cursed video” urban myth. As is indicated by the opening phrase shown in the trailer, however, the curse of “Sadako” seems to have evolved considerably from 25 years ago:
「そのビデオを見た者は、24時間後に、死ぬ。」
“Those who watch the video, after 24 hours, die.”
As a series of sudden deaths happen one after the other, breaking out nationwide, the existence of the “cursed video” becomes known. Actress Koshiba Fuuka (小芝風花) takes on the lead role of genius graduate student Ichijo Fumika who is enticed by popular spiritualist and medium Kenshin, played by actor Ikeuchi Hiroyuki (池内博之), to use her brains and solve the curse known as “Sadako.”
Armed with an IQ of 200, Fumika makes every effort to unravel the mysteries of the “cursed video,” why the curse changed from a week to 24 hours, etc. She is joined in these efforts by self-proclaimed diviner Maeda Ouji, played by popular group THE RAMPAGE from EXILE TRIBE member Kawamura Kazuma (川村壱馬), as the two work together to put a stop to Sadako’s curse which has been resurrected in modern society.
In the final seconds of the trailer, a shocking development is hinted at where the cursed video seems to have been diffused on social media. This, combined with the promotional tagline promises some interesting innovations that seem to be adapted for the more digital age.
「この呪いは、変異して、拡散する。」
“This curse will change, and spread.”
This is by no means the first attempt to modernize Sadako and the Ringu curse for today’s audience. Recent Sadako films in the franchise have all taken this dead wet girl’s curse online (to YouTube, etc.), starting in 2012 with director Hanabusa Tsutomu (英勉)’s Sadako 3D, and featured a shortened timeframe for her curse. However, the focus on the lead character being a young woman with a brilliant mind rather than some preternatural power facing off against Sadako could potentially lend the Ringu series a breath of fresh air.
Once you watch it, it’s final. Wearing white clothes, she approaches.
Throughout the city, in your house, on the net, it changes and spreads.
From her curse, you absolutely cannot escape ー she is already coming right up beside you.”
Cast Features:
- Koshiba Fuuka (小芝風花) as Ichijo Fumika
- Ikeuchi Hiroyuki (池内博之) as Kenshin
- Kawamura Kazuma (川村壱馬) as Maeda Ouji
- Kuroba Mario (黒羽麻璃央) as Kanden Lloyd, Maeda Ouji’s coworker
- Nishida Naomi (西田尚美) as Ichijo Chieko, Fumika’s mother
- Yagi Yuuki (八木優希) as Ichijo Futaba, Fumika’s younger sister
- Watanabe Hiroyuki (渡辺裕之) as Tendou Ruma, Kenshin’s father
Panda Samurai 