5 Japanese Originals of American Horror Films

With Halloween just around the corner, it might be difficult to choose between that house party and that other house party. However, if you’re looking to stay in this All Hallows’ Eve, we’ve put together some cinematic inspiration so you can Netflix and Chills. With an annual perpetuation of Halloween and Friday the 13th re-reruns on cable television, why not try something new and venture into some foreign film territory? You’ve probably heard of these American spinechillers, but perhaps you weren’t aware that they were all remakes of classic Japanese horror films.

Often colloquially referred to as J-Horror, Japanese horror movies have long inspired a devout cult following. Although there may be a select discordant few, the general consensus agrees that the Japanese originals of American counterparts are infinitely more terrifying. Cultural traditions and beliefs are deeply entrenched within J-Horror films, making them in some ways adherent to a certain formula when it comes to narrative and aesthetic cues. These components arguably are what become lost in translation in the American remakes but are definitely crucial in both versions. Check out our top picks below and good luck sleeping through the night after you watch these horrifying Japanese originals.

1. Ringu, 1998 (remade into The Ring)

Although the majority of Japanese-based remakes that have debuted in the American market have largely been met with lackluster reviews, The Ring was received remarkably well and was a fairly faithful adaptation. The Japanese original, Ringu, follows the story of a journalist investigating a bizarre videotape that seems to precipitate the viewer’s death within seven days. The film surprisingly shows very little gore, but makes up plentily for it with a disturbingly eerie soundtrack that perfectly complements the nightmarish atmosphere. The Ring might have scared you, but Ringu might actually make you cry.

2. Dark Water, 2002 (remade into Dark Water)

If you’re familiar with Japanese mythology you’ll know that in the culture, spirits are strongly associated with water and humidity. Dark confined places are perceived to be a hotbed for sinister paranormal activity. In fact, Dark Water, Ringu and Ringu 2 were all directed by Hideo Nakata, which would explain the water-related narrative similarities among all three films. Although the 2005 Dark Water remake starring Jennifer Connelly was spooky, it doesn’t even compare to the Japanese original. Stylistically similar to Ringu, Dark Water does not rely on ostentatious effects. Instead, it employs a minimalist approach to horror, leaning alternatively on an uncannily disconcerting tone. On top of everything else, the plot itself is heartbreakingly desolate about a mother fighting for custody of her child, further underscoring the hopelessness of the situation.

3. Ju-On, 2002 (remade into The Grudge)

Although The Grudge had its moments, much of the film was diluted in special effects and an insincerity that resulted from cultural misunderstanding. Ju-On however is significantly more unearthly and makes for a terrifying experience. Despite being criticized as being narratively nonsensical at times, the movie is still a blitz of scenes that provide an onslaught of jumps and unexpected scares. Not only that, but you probably won’t be able to sleep in the dark for a while.

4. Kairo, 2001 (remade into Pulse)

I’m just going to say it: Pulse was a bad movie. Yes, there were moments when Silent Hill-esque creatures popped up and it did make me slightly uncomfortable, but a combination of cheesy dialogue and predictable storytelling made it an overall boring watch. Kairo, although equally spartan with its plotline, is definitely more chilling. Different from the American remake, in which a girl’s friend speaks to her via email from the grave, Kairo’s protagonist falls victim to a murderous website that triggers a series of hauntings from paranormal entities. It’s scarier than it sounds, I promise. Typical of J-Horror films, the Japanese original utilizes disquieting spans of silence and otherworldly entities that noiselessly appear.

5. Chakushin Ari, 2003 (remade into One Missed Call)

One Missed Call performed notoriously poorly in American theaters (a 0% rating on Rotten Tomatoes shows that we’re not exaggerating). With a weak storyline and shoddy special effects, the film was quite simply bad. The Japanese original, however, is worth a watch. The premise of the movie is fairly straightforward: people get a call on their cell phones from their future selves with a prediction of their death, and then they die. Yes, the plot has some serious Final Destination vibes, but Chakushin Ari is arguably more frightening because the premonitions aren’t just a precursor for gory deaths. Rather, the hours preceding the deaths are plagued with supernatural occurrences and the mystery of a girl’s death complicates the plot with uncertainty.