Common Sense Media Review
By Kat Halstead
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Creepy Japanese horror with death, ghostly jump scares.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 15+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Watch
Videos and Photos
Ju-On: The Grudge
Parent and Kid Reviews
What's the Story?
In JU-ON: THE GRUDGE, a volunteer social worker (Megumi Okina) goes to the home of a vengeful spirit, who gradually haunts and attacks her and anyone else who enters the house.
Is It Any Good?
This tense Japanese horror packs plenty of ghostly scares into its relatively short runtime. At the heart of Ju-On: The Grudge (also called Ju-on) is an unstoppable curse that works its way through the characters with a terrifying efficiency. There are sudden moments, contortionist movements, and an incredibly creepy wide-eyed child ghost that viewers may look for in the shadows long after the movie ends. It's not quite as well crafted as the likes of The Ring, the timeline jumps around and the plot can be a touch confusing, and there are moments of less convincing acting. But overall, the scares are consistently intense and the imagery impactful enough to stay with even the most weathered horror fan.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about the style of horror in Ju-On: The Grudge. Did you think it was scary? Were the ghosts frightening? How does the movie use sound to create fear? What are some of the moments that stood out to you, and why were they particularly scary?
What's the appeal of ghost stories? Why do you think people like being scared? How does this compare to other ghost stories you've heard or seen? Are there any aspects they all share?
Have you seen the U.S. remake? How do the two compare? What benefits and challenges might there be in remaking a film in another language?
Movie Details
- In theaters : July 23, 2004
- On DVD or streaming : October 4, 2004
- Cast : Megumi Okina , Misaki Itô , Misa Uehara
- Director : Takashi Shimizu
- Studio : Lionsgate Home Entertainment
- Genre : Horror
- Topics : Fantasy ( Ghosts )
- Run time : 92 minutes
- MPAA rating :
- MPAA explanation : some disturbing images
- Last updated : September 17, 2026
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