“Ju-On: The Grudge” is the sinister Japanese horror film that found itself remade for Western audiences with “The Grudge” and I have to say that I think the remake is slightly better. Don’t get me wrong, this original version is entertaining but I think the American remake handles the suspense and the visuals a little better.

In “Ju-On: The Grudge”, various unfortunate Japanese people find themselves victims of a bunch of creepy ghost creatures. Like the remake, the film goes back and forth in time but I think this original is a little easier to follow at times with clear separations between the different segments. However, you could probably watch the segments in almost any order and it wouldn’t make a huge difference.

The characters are alright but the vast majority of them are just there to be attacked by the creatures. Most, if not all of them, do a good job screaming as they’re being devoured by the creatures. The creatures are very good and this original version actually features several creatures that aren’t present in the remake so that’s a good reason to check this version out if you liked the American one. The creatures like to make strange noises and sometimes crawl along the floor towards you as they stare with a blank expression; I like them a lot.

I think the American remake handles the lighting and the filming slightly better than the Japanese original and that therefore makes it more intense but I don’t think this Japanese one is poor by any standards. If you didn’t like the American film will you like this one? Unless you’re from Japan, I very much doubt it. Overall, I think if you like intense horror pictures (it also helps to really like Japanese culture) then maybe you should sit through both “Ju-On: The Grudge” and “The Grudge” as a double-bill.