The original Japanese version of “Dark Water” is sadly much weaker than its American remake. I dislike the supernatural elements of the story but at least the American one could create some tension. “Dark Water” aims to scare but I felt rather bored by a film that really has to grab your attention in order to work.

During a custody battle, a mother by the name of Yoshimi (Hitomi Kuroki), moves into a sinister apartment with her young daughter, Ikuko. There is a terrible leak on the ceiling but there is something even more terrible hiding in plain sight because someone or something is tormenting Yoshimi and Ikuko.

I actually quite liked the performance from Jennifer Connelly in the American remake as I really did empathise with her character; sadly, her Japanese counterpart is not as good. Maybe it is the fact that the film as a whole never feels as intense but I just did not connect to the Yoshimi character in the way that I should have. The daughter character is okay. The other characters are quite dull in this version but I do not think I would have minded that much had I been able to get more invested in the Yoshimi character.

I do not particularly recommend either version of “Dark Water” but if you had to see one of them, definitely see the American one. If you have already seen the American one and are a fan then I would not bother with this. The Japanese “Dark Water” is not a terrible movie but it becomes very tedious as it fails to generate any significant fear. If you want a better Japanese horror film than this, I would suggest “Ju-On: The Grudge”, which also has an American remake. If you just want a better supernatural horror movie then try “The Shining”.