Watch The Grudge Extended Version

The Grudge Extended Version is a psychological horror film released in 2004. It follows an American nurse, Karen (played by Sarah Michelle Gellar), who finds herself embroiled in a terrifying supernatural mystery after she begins working at a house in Tokyo where a horrific murder has taken place. Karen takes her new job caring for an elderly dementia patient, Mrs. Davis, in a seemingly unremarkable, yet eerie house located in a secluded corner of Tokyo. In the course of her duty, Karen discovers the dark secrets lurking in the house, including the origins of an evil, vengeful spirit, known as the Ju-on curse. This curse is said to be born whenever someone dies in the grip of extreme rage or sorrow, leaving behind a powerful, malevolent force that haunts the living and the dead.

As Karen begins to unravel the terrifying truths behind the Ju-on curse, she discovers that the house is host to several other victims of the curse, including a police detective named Nakagawa, played by Ryo Ishibashi, who has been investigating the house for years. Other characters in the movie include Doug (played by Jason Behr), Karen's boyfriend and an exchange student who unknowingly enters the house while searching for her.

As tension and fear continue to grow in the house, Karen is forced to confront the evil force that haunts it. The female ghost terrorizes the characters, particularly Karen, by causing supernatural phenomena like demonic visions, slamming doors, abrupt temperature changes, and sudden, chilling creaks in the old house's infrastructure.

The Grudge Extended Version is notable for its unconventional editing style, with the scenes often running out of order in what feels like a patchwork storytelling technique. Through these disjointed scenes, the director, Takashi Shimizu, intends to convey the confusing and distorted nature of the Ju-on curse, which does not recognize the linear progression of time as mortals do.

The film's horror elements are heightened by the excellent performances put in by the cast, particularly Sarah Michelle Gellar, who was well known for her role in the hit television series Buffy the Vampire Slayer. She portrays a character that is strong, determined, and willing to do whatever it takes to save herself and those she cares about from the malevolent force.

Additionally, the film leans towards psychological horror, exploring themes of guilt, shame, and grief. The cursed house appears to be a tangible metaphor for the dark secrets homeowners keep from the world, the ghosts of which haunt them and cause them to be punished in a unique and terrifying way.

An extended version of the film adds about fifteen minutes to the original theatrical release, delving deeper into the mythology of the Ju-on curse and expanding on the relationship between Karen and her boyfriend, Doug. The additional footage provides more screentime for the supporting cast and exposition on the various characters' backstories.

Overall, The Grudge Extended Version is a horror masterpiece. It's no wonder it grossed over $187 million, given the level of tension, shock, and fear it manages to generate. Even today, it serves as a prime example of how horror movies can be both terrifying and thought-provoking, making it a must-watch for any fan of the horror genre.