Common Sense Media Review
Remake of Japanese horror film is terrifying and creepy.
Parents Need to Know
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The Ring
Parent and Kid Reviews
Based on 62 parent reviews
Parents say this film is incredibly frightening, with many reviewers noting its ability to evoke lasting fears and nightmares. While some consider it suitable for mature teens, others argue that its disturbing themes and imagery make it inappropriate for children under 14.
- incredibly frightening
- lasting fears
- mature teens
- disturbing themes
- inappropriate for children
- horror classic
Summarized with AI
Based on 279 kid reviews
Kids say that the movie has some creepy moments and provides a mix of mystery and slight horror, but many feel it isn't truly scary and lacks gore. While it includes disturbing content and swearing, a mature audience of around 12-14 years old might find it entertaining, although younger viewers may find certain scenes more unsettling.
- creepy moments
- not too scary
- swearing included
- suitable for teens
- mixed reviews
Summarized with AI
What's the Story?
In THE RING, four teens die, as predicted, exactly seven days to the minute from when they watched a creepy video in a remote mountain cabin. Rachel (Naomi Watts), the aunt of one of the teenagers, is a savvy and skeptical journalist whose curiosity is sparked by tales of the tape. After finding and watching the source of the mystery, she receives a phone call announcing that she has seven days to live. From there, it's a race to solve the clues and answer the riddle of the video, with the stakes greatly raised when two of the people closest to her, including her young son, watch the deadly tape.
Is It Any Good?
This remake of the popular Japanese horror is a tense, creepy movie that will likely stick with you after the credits roll. In The Ring, director Gore Verbinski does an excellent job of letting viewers' imaginations find portent and peril in the most mundane of actions, such as picking up groceries at the local corner store. Watts is a relief as she plays through the gamut of Rachel's emotions with credible but not overwrought gusto. While the adults are busy solving the riddle of the tape, the heart-stopping pair of The Ring's children usher in the deeper dimension of fear. Rachel's son, Aiden (a stony-eyed David Dorfman), is the medium and interpreter for the terrifying Samara (Daveigh Chase), who's at the heart of the mystery.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about the decision that Rachel makes at the end of The Ring and the ramifications of her actions. Did she make the right decision? Is it OK to sacrifice others to protect yourself and those you love? Why, or why not?
For fans who've seen the original Japanese film, how does this movie compare? If you've seen the sequels, how does this one stack up?
What's the appeal of scary movies? Why do you think they continue to be popular? What's the particular appeal of this story, and why do you think it has wide appeal across different parts of the world?
Movie Details
- In theaters : October 18, 2002
- On DVD or streaming : March 4, 2003
- Cast : Amber Tamblyn , Martin Henderson , Naomi Watts
- Director : Gore Verbinski
- Studio : DreamWorks
- Genre : Horror
- Topics : Fantasy ( Ghosts )
- Run time : 115 minutes
- MPAA rating :
- MPAA explanation : thematic elements, disturbing images, language and some drug references
- Last updated : October 9, 2026
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