The Grudge

I recently just watched a horror film called "The Grudge" as I was trying to compare a horror film with a thriller film. I have to say, my overall feelings about the grudge is that it was a chilling film, but with a poor narrative. The reason why I felt it was a chilling film, is for the number of thriller signifiers involved and the use of graphics creating suspense.

For instance, the first thing that I noticed about "The Grudge" is the actual DVD cover. (As shown right) It instantly caught my attention, as the overall colour black connotes danger, mystery and psychological horror. It's a very darkening colour. The title is the only thing in red, which again connotes danger, and it sticks out against the overall Mise-en-scene of the demented looking girl. The way the girls one eye is looking directly into the camera shot, means she is wearing a direct-mode-of-address, which captures the readers attention, and draws them into looking at the films. Her long black hair covers most of her face, leaving her actual appearance up to the readers imagination.

The actual plot of the film isn't very clever, as it mainly just involves a series of gruesome incidents occurring in one house, and Sarah Michelle Gellar as the main actress playing an American nurse in Japan. However, what makes this a scary watch is for starters the music. You can instantly tell when something is about to happen, as the music quickens and grows louder, and even though this is quite a cliche thing to do in horrors, it still works. The graphics of the actual girls face is chilling, and the main scene which sticks in my head is the one where Sarah Michelle Gellar stands alone in a hospital. The lights keep flickering on and of which is a known thriller signifier, and you keep hearing noises but see no faces, which again, leaves it up to the audiences imagination of whats about to happen. The whole ward is deserted, and of course its night time which makes it even scarier. Also, the whole Mise-en-scene of the actual house where nearly the whole movie is based around, is quite cleverly done. It has plenty of levels and windy staircases which are also known thriller signifiers. Most of the scenes are shot in dark, and the people in the house at the time are lead to this one place in the loft by a series of mysterious noises such as babies crying and creaks. You also have quick mid shots of the shadow of the girl who spreads around this deadly "curse." There are several other chilling scenes, and you witness other people dying in mysterious ways, which can lead a shiver to the spine!

Overall, I do recommend people to watch this movie as it is a good film to watch, but I have seen better horror films.