The Ring Movie
Storyline
TAGLINES
In the well, no one can see...
Before you die, you see the ring
Everyone will suffer.
Did she show you the horses?
Antes de morir veras el aro (Spanish)
Rachel Keller is a journalist investigating a videotape that may have killed four teenagers (including her niece). There is an urban legend about this tape: the viewer will die seven days after watching it. If the legend is correct, Rachel will have to run against time to save her son's and her own life.
| Naomi Watts | Rachel Keller |
| Martin Henderson | Noah Clay |
| David Dorfman | Aidan Keller |
| Brian Cox | Richard Morgan |
| Jane Alexander | Dr. Grasnik |
| Lindsay Frost | Ruth Embry |
| Amber Tamblyn | Katie Embry |
| Rachael Bella | Rebecca 'Becca' Kotler |
| Daveigh Chase | Samara Morgan |
| Shannon Cochran | Anna Morgan |
| Sandra Thigpen | Teacher |
| Richard Lineback | Innkeeper |
| Sasha Barrese | Girl Teen #1 |
| Tess Hall | Girl Teen #2 |
| Adam Brody | Kellen, Male Teen #1 |
| Gore Verbinski |
7.30 out of 10 (48527 votes)
Visitor Reviews
Excellent Horror Film
posted on 30 Aug 2009The Ring is an excellent horror film - an adaptation of the brilliant Japanese film Ringu. Gore Verbinski does a great job directing this film, with an excellent performance by Naomi Watts and newcomer David Dorfman (he's the next big horror kid actor - after Haley Joel Osment). The reason I like this horror film is precisely because it's not B-movie style blood and guts horror - rather a smartly scripted psychological horror which only shows the scary elements when it is necessary and thus creates suspense (the same happened with Spielberg's Jaws - he smartly didn't "show" the shark until the very end of the film). Bring on The Ring 2! A solid 8 out of 10.
Damn, that's some scary stuff!
posted on 28 Aug 2009The Ring scared the crap out of me. I don't think a movie has ever had the effect on me that it did. I got to watch it the other night on DVD (advantage of working at Blockbuster). Three in the morning was a bad time. The movie does have a great story to it, though. And the visuals are scary, the sound is scary, the story is scary...I don't spook easily, but damn! So one would think that, after being so damn scared, I'd swear it off. Of course not! I want to buy it so I can see the special features (I was too scared to watch them), it had DTS sound, which I think would give me a heart attack, and I want to watch the original Japan version, Ringu. I didn't rent it because I didn't realize what it was, but as soon as I can, I'm watching it. And I want to track down the sequel/prequel to Ringu, thoughtfully titled Ringu 2 and Ringu 0, respectivly.Watch this movie. Just not alone.
the best horror film i have seen in a long time
posted on 26 Aug 2009Going into the movie i was thinking its going to suck its PG-13. I was in a theater with all teenagers doing the teenage thing. (e.g. spit balls and throwing popcorn) But 10 min. into the movie that all changed. everyone shut up and payed attention. I going to say that its the most disturbing movie that i seen, and it didn't have to be bloody or grusome. Its the best horror i seen since The Exercise.
Visually intense creepfest--different purpose than the original
posted on 26 Aug 2009This film is the American take on the Japanese original and while it absorbs its source material intact, it twists around its formula a bit in order to make it fit its new surroundings. The story is the same: a journalist, after losing her niece to a mysterious circumstance, investigates and discovers a cursed videotape, which gives a viewer only seven days to live.Like its predecessors, the film doesn't spend that much time on the supernatural elements, but focuses more on the mystery. However, The Ring features a lot more supernatural elements immediately and throughout the film than either previous version, perhaps to make more obvious and visceral the impending doom that faces our protagonist. Visually, The Ring has been injected with a shot of adrenaline, being less the brooding mystery of the original and more immediate and menacing. The color palette is colder than Ringu and the story is also more detached and focused on the ghostly mechanics than the human story, which leads the film to be more recognizably intimidating.The story itself is a little more mysterious in that the backstory of our villain is rather thin and unexplained. Furthermore, the villain is clearly portrayed as senselessly malevolent; this weakens at least two significant scenes. The ending, I think, is more clever than the previous versions. I like that there is something to the relationship between the protagonist, Rachel, and her ally, Noah, but it still seems a little weak when compared to Ringu--where one line can effortlessly show the development in the relationship.As far as a horror movie goes, The Ring is a blunt, but nonetheless creepy example. Losing some of the trappings of its predecessors helps simplify the story for faster flow and to create room for more visual creepiness, but also loses some of the complexity that helped the story have more depth. It's more of impressive frightfest than Ringu, but is a little weaker in story resonance. In the end, that makes The Ring just as effective overall: if you want more chills, catch this version. If you want more meat, catch Ringu. Decent entertainment. 7/10.
Don't answer that!
posted on 24 Aug 2009Not the Lord of the Ring or the Beethoven classic but actually more like the one around the rosie, but I'm getting way ahead of the story. This well-conceived and -executed film is worth a bowl of popcorn on a stormy night which gives away my sentiment that "The Ring" would be more effective as a video than a feature film. The "killer VCR" theme demands it.Terrifying death has been visited on several teens who dare to view an avant-garde tape of mysterious origins. The deaths are sudden and mysterious to pique the interest of a local tabloid journalist (Naomi Watts) who happens to be the aunt of one of the "scared-to-deaths." This explains her initial curiosity but the clues are sufficient to elicit a dogged pursuit of the story. This is a scary story that engages the audience as you see the clues and the race against the curse that promises to kill our fair investigative journalist before she solves it. And if the screams of the teens in the theater are any gauge, it is effective."The Ring" may have had the makings of a cult thriller, but its commercial success has already ruined that status. The premise is suited to an indie whose notoriety is developed by word-of-mouth and slipped to the next viewer who is cautioned to watch it at his/her own risk. But that would screw up all those royalties. So don't feel bad if you miss this as a first-run flick. "The Ring" will improve with age.
Must See Horror Movie
posted on 24 Aug 2009This movie is what a horror movie should be! Great suspense & a great plot. Could not have been done better & the cast was right on with their performances! Naomi Watts is HOT! This was the movie of 2002! And was up against another great movie in Ghost Ship.
fairytree
posted on 24 Aug 2009I watched the original japanese film a few years ago and thought to my self wow that was a really good horror, a one of story line a story never been used before on screen.That makes such a change compared to all these new horror films that pop up from time to time, dreamworks made the remake and this mistake happens so often, the remake is nothing like the original screen master piece. Sure these companies have got the money got the actors but the films never quite cuts it. I have seen many many horror films one of the best by far and always will be is the exorcist the same as starwars for science fiction films, however the ring was up they some where with the exorsist, i love the 80s and 90s horror flicks they were the best and always will be. It was so refreshing to watch a truly excellent horror film the story the acting the effects it was great.But be warned this film is about as dark as it can get it gets into your head and stays they for a little while. As so many new horror films go wrong in todays society they forget the one thing that so many lack ,psychology fear.Remember when we were kids we were all terrified of what was under the bed ,when the bedroom light was turned off they are no boundaries of fear nor the imagination. If you can put this mental feeling into an audience for an hour and a half you are on to a winner, the ring did just that one of the best horror films i have watched up to date horror writers take note.
Quite possibly the worst movie ever.
posted on 22 Aug 2009The only truly disturbing thing about this movie was that I actually paid money to see it. Afterwards I tried desperately to find something good to cling to so I wouldn't have to admit total failure in having seen it, but I found nothing. I could, however, go on for quite a while about all the problems I had with it. There was no point to the story. There were plot holes I could drive a truck through. There was no resolution to anything. (Although that wasn't a big problem because there really wasn't anything to resolve.) The fact that there are so many people who are raving about this just proves that people have different tastes, which is fine, but it still baffles me. I don't understand how this is scaring people. And I really think that all the people that are talking about it being "intellectual" and having "layers" are just trying to sound intellectual themselves, and hide the fact that either they didn't get it, or they understand that there was no plot but feel the need to act like there was. Whatever. This is definitely on my list of "movies I wish I could un-see."
Who said this movie was scarier than the "Exorcist"?!?!
posted on 22 Aug 2009Ok.....some of you kiddies who have seen this movie are probably not going to like this but "The Ring" doesn't hold a CANDLE to "The Exorcist". We're not even talking the same sport here, let alone the same ballpark. After all the hype and all the stories going around that this movie is as scary as or scarier than the "Exorcist, I decided to let my daughter go out an buy it since I'm a BIG horror/Sci-fi fan. I popped in the DVD and we were on our way. The first scene, poorly acted, by two teenagers was the first omen that I was NOT going to like this movie. I don't mind "campy" or "corny" horror movies provided that they're not hailed as "the horror movie event of the century" or "The scariest movie ever made".In any event, After the opening scene, I decided to give it a chance before leaving the room. Well, I'll tell ya what......when she opened that door with the water leaking out from under it to reveal the TV playing that water well in black and white and the camera RUSHED at her face.....I nearly poopied in my pants!!! (LOL)."Ok" , I thought...."you got my attention!!" That was ONE of the three, maybe four scary scenes throughout the entire movie. Enter Naomi Watts.......Where did this girl/woman get her license to act!??!?!........In a cracker jack box!??!!? MY GOD, MAN.....she was absolutely horrible! SO bad, in fact, that she ruined the entire movie in my opinion. Ok.....so there's more bad acting. I figure, what the heck, let me finish it because I really have to see what everyone is talking about. And besides, that opening scene was really something.She watches the tape and blah blah blah.....she tries to figure out what's going on with the death of her niece and more blah blah blah......Then there's a horse that escapes from his container on a ferry boat and jumps in the water and more blah blah blah.....THEN, she finds Brian Cox, who by the way, played in "Manhunter" aka "Red Dragon", the first Hannibal Lecter. He's a GREAT actor and it was a pleasure to watch him. He's no Anthony Hopkins, mind you, but still a great actor.Anyway, moving right along here.......Instead of telling you what happens and giving away scenes, I'll just tell you that, overall, this is a VERY decent thriller despite the horrible acting and slow scenes inbetween the scary ones. The moments in this movie that are scary, are TRULY HORRIFYING. I'll give 'em that one! There's a scene near the mid-end where her ex is watching the TV and Samara starts to emerge from the well. OH MY GOD! That's All I'm going to say! If THAT doesn't raise the hair off your skin, nothing will!It's just a shame that this movie wasn't done a little better. It COULD have easily been as scary as the Exorcist but the poor acting and holes in the plot prevented it. Again, the foundation is there for a brilliant thriller/horror movie but it just didn't make the grade. I'll give it 7 out of 10 for the really creepy scenes that were truly horrifying. I just get upset when you have all the makings of a GREAT movie and then poor acting and holes in the plot ruin it. And as always, I hope I haven't offended anyone. The younger crowd my absolutely LOVE this movie as my daughter did.
The Ring holds up with multiple viewings
posted on 20 Aug 2009I have seen this movie 4 different times and I can sincerely say, that for me, it held up each time and kept me captivated. Obviously, the more you see it, the more likely you are to catch things that you may have missed the first time you viewed it. While it isn't as scary after the first time, I found this movie to be full of suspense and disturbing and the sort of movie that keeps you on the edge of your seat and keeps you thinking. If you don't like to think when watching a movie, you won't enjoy The Ring. It is an intelligent horror movie that will leave you guessing. And the ending was extremely refreshing...something that is needed in this genre.I give it a 10.
Confusing
posted on 20 Aug 2009This film was entertaining, but was extremely implausible and confusing.
Naomi
Watts was very good as were the rest of the cast. The director borrowed from
many other horror films (the titles from The Shining, the boy from The Omen, the
flies from the Amityville Horror). It had some great scary moments, but is not a great film. The cinematography
was excellent and the music was very good.
Goodbye Wes Craven, Hello The Ring.
posted on 18 Aug 2009Well, what can I say? The Ring is THE ultimate horror movie. Relying more on building atmosphere and paranoia than blood and gore, much like The 6th Sense did in it's own way (a now inferior film to The Ring IMHO).There are only two or three 'jump out of your seat' scenes in The Ring, and trust me your head will hit the roof when they come. Instead it floods you with a constant sense of eerieness that lingers long after you've left the theatre. Topped off with one of the most amazing horror scripts ever written, far surpassing the somewhat shallow story-telling of the original Japanese version. The film also owes a lot of it's 'creep factor' to the cinematography. Images (without giving anything away) of the child "villian" will be in your head every time you close your eyes for days after. And the montage of images on the cursed video tape itself is the most mesmerising piece of cinema since THAT psychedelic trip in 2001: A Space Odyssey.The Ring shatters every "Hollywood Horror" cliche and I congratulate the film-makers for taking a big risk, both with the production and marketing. I'm not sure how it was promoted in the US, but here in Australia all we got were a few TV ads showing a quick 3 second flash of the images on the cursed tape, and then Rachel (Naomi Watts in her 1st post Mullholand Drv role) saying "Before you die you see the ring" nothing but a black poster with a white ring on it advertises it at the cinema. It took a long time to take off, but once word of mouth began, theatres were packed with ppl of all ages, with more or less no idea what they were about to watch.I've seen it twice now and the 2nd time I had the joy of looking around me every now and then at the audience, every set of eyes was pried wide open, people were sinking in to their seats, like children pulling the covers over their head to hide from the boogieman.I want to spill the beans on all the great scenes in this movie, but it's the kind of film you have to go in to knowing as little as possible, and I suggest that be the case. Let's hope this brave new style of horror takes off and we finally see the end of pathetic teen crap like Scream, I Know What You Did... etc.
I was so scared I couldn't leave!
posted on 16 Aug 2009The ring portrays the true meaning of wetting your pants. This movie scared me for days. To tell you the truth I was hearing weird sounds from my T.V. YIKES! I especially loved the mystery around the Morgan family, and their psycho daughter...Samara. The part I thought was most interesting was the tape. It was kind of like a chain letter, except your life was at stake.I was trying to think of happy things during the movie!I thought I loved horror movies, thats what I thought, then I saw the ring. It was hard for me to say the name of the movie of even talk about it.If you watch this movie, I hope you have a strong stomach!
Horrible remake!
posted on 14 Aug 2009Having seen the original Ringu film, I was very happy to rent this it's first week out. Having heard from friends how it scared them so bad, and how it was a good film, I had to see it. How disappointed I was with the regular bland american studio produced crap it turned out to be. With Gore V. directing I should have known, he would sell his mama if the studio's told him to. This remake is so slow and pointless that it makes the original look so much better. All of Naomi Watts' character's findings come to her very easily. Maybe she is Columbo's daughter the way she solves this mystery.In the Ringu version the story unfolds slowly, but realisticly. The actual video that you watch and will die for, is much more scary in the Jap version. To much CGI and rip offs make for a bad time. I guess the ending is what most people talk about. I felt that the ending in the american version was forced upon us very quickly to the point where it wasn't even scary. The Ringu version has a great scary ending, that will make you stop breathing (at least for a few seconds). The biggest difference is the explanation of what's going on. The Ring confuses people because it is a bad movie, period.There are 3 Ringu movies from Japan. Ringu 2 is not that good, but decent. I think they used a few things from part 2 in the american Ring. Ringu 0, which is a prequel might even be better or at least as good as the original Ringu. Be sure to get ahold of Ringu 0, it is available on Ebay with subtitles. Ringu has been available as well, even though Dreamworks just released it on Friday, to cash in some more. Why does this movie have such a high rating? Let's get with the program people.
Sucks
posted on 12 Aug 2009Only on my narcolepsy meter does this movie get a 10. It's a snoozer, running about 20 or 30 minutes too long and unintellible no matter how long its running time. But since when does a movie have to make sense to please its audience? This film was heartily endorsed by dildo-headed colleague at work."It's terrifying," he claimed. After a promising start, The Ring tries to becomes baffling, moronic. There is a telephone call that makes no sense, a weird video film filled with Bunuel-esque montages with no explanation offered as to where this tape originated. The movie at various times resembles a parody of Blair Witch, Sixth Sense and 100 lesser movies that play on the late show every night. It's a decent candidate for the late show. It sure ain't a good candidate for $11 and a fun night out.
Very Well Done for the most part
posted on 12 Aug 2009For the most part this movie is very well done. Its extremely creepy in the beginning and towards the end is also extremely creepy. The acting isn't bad, Naomi Watts could have been a little bit better but she was good, the kid was creepy but at times I thought at times he was trying to be like Haley Joel Osment in the Sixth Sense. The script was also underwritten in areas, not much but a little bit. In the end the movie doesn't end up making alot of sense. You still don't know who made the tape, but that might be explained in a sequel or a prequel. Overall, a very creepy movie that kept me entertained all the way and in my opinion one of the best movies of 2002.
scariest film ever?
posted on 10 Aug 2009SPOILERS BELOWit had too much wrong with it, not consistent enough, does the girl come out of the tv to finish the video viewers off?, how did the video get made in the first place?, little things that didn't link anything together, too much like the sixth sense with all the staring into space images, pretty rubbish actually the more i think about it, funny really as when the sixth sense first came out it was the twist at the end that got people and even when you watch the film again after a while which i have done it still manages to shock, if i watched the ring even today after seeing it on dvd yesterday it would do nothing for me at all, avoid i reckon
Silly and boring
posted on 10 Aug 2009Shame on Brian Cox for participating in this waste of celluloid.I cannot reccomend this movie at ALL.The whole premise is cornball joke.I will say that it is stylishly shot, teh cinematography is slick and creepy when it needs to be.But if I notice the filmmaking during a horror film then that means the director has lost my interest and this is fatal in suspense and horror.My wife got nightmares from this film.I got sleepy.
Campy, predictable, not worth your time
posted on 30 Aug 2009My first inclination upon hearing the storyline to this movie was that it was going to be another in a long string of predictable un-scary movies. In an attempt to keep an open mind (and find a truly riveting, scary movie) after reading the fabulous reviews The Ring was receiving, I decided to give it a try. I should have listened to my first instinct. This movie starts out so poorly that I (and the person I saw it with) thought it was going to turn into a show the people in the actual movie were watching. That didn't happen. It was the real movie.This is simply another Urban Legend that has been put to the screen and the lengths to which they went to contrive some of the scenes are incredible.
There was 1 scene which had a startle factor of about 4 on a scale of 1 to 10. I jumped a bit, the person I was watching the movie with didn't move at all. I am not familiar with any of these actors but I suspect they're fairly good actors subjected to horrid scripting. The little boy appears to have potential but they actually used the Sixth Sense technique & had him whispering on the phone. (remember the "I see dead people." scene?) They actors were good looking for the most part, if that's a redeemable quality, then The Ring gets a point on that. There is a surprise albeit predictable (if you've watched more than 3 scary movies in your lifetime) ending. Surprise in that you think the movie is over but then it continues on. Surprise.Scary? No. Good for a laugh? Yes. A laugh worth 7$? No. Not even worth watching on a rainy Saturday afternoon when the only other choice is to wash the dog. Wash Rover. It'll be more entertaining.