User Reviews

If you're planning to watch this movie alone on a Friday night, you'd better call a friend so you can watch it together. Because you definitely won't want to be alone afterward. It's that scary. Therefore, I really don't understand why this film only has a 57 as its average critic score. I saw it dubbed in German; maybe the translation makes it so scary? Whatever, its a clean 10 from me.

Я бы сказал что неплохо, было интересно смотреть но точно не страшно, возможно атмосферу держал фильмец но хорором тяжело назвать

Truly a masterpiece of horror. Everything about this film works; the acting, setting, storytelling, and color scheme are all sublime. Wasn’t expecting much coming into the film but left feeling impressed. Only negative is that it isn’t nearly as good upon rewatch since you already know how the mystery unfolds.

I heard a lot about this movie and finally watched it, and I was pleasantly surprised by the detective part and the atmosphere, a good classic horror movie

This film is average at best, the highlight being Watts’s convincing central performance. It is entertaining for the first half, however, the second half drags on and lacks any more gore or creepy visuals.

In the gloomy Pacific northwest, an unlabeled VHS tape awaits the curious. After they press play, unlucky viewers are condemned to five minutes of eerie film school snippets, a breathy telephoned warning and an unexplained death within the week. Mourning one of the cassette’s latest victims, a tenacious newspaper reporter tracks down a copy, watches it, answers the phone and pursues the truth behind an urban legend. And then carelessly shares the curse with a few loved ones. Maybe it’s because I’ve been watching so many iffy-to-bad horror movies lately, but The Ring really stands out. Not just as a good thriller, but as a top-quality film regardless of genre. It can scare without going over the top. Pose complex, troubling questions and see them through. Set a tone and stick to it. That last point is a particular strength: drenched with pervasive blue-green tones, dense mists and steady rain, this is a film with an excellent knack for atmosphere. It looks and feels like a headache brought on by too little sleep; a clinical hangover punctuated by a steady fluorescent hum. Which puts us in the same dazed, panicked head space as our protagonist, who certainly lacks for a good night’s rest during her increasingly hectic seven-day investigation. As the tragic ghost story unfolds, so does her own. Side by side, we learn about the cruel origins of that haunted tape and the tangled knot that’s become her private life. It’s an efficient, satisfying plot, one that succeeds on multiple fronts and doesn’t press the audience too far beyond the limits of their disbelief. We catch some frights, but the camera never lingers. In fact, it often relegates the biggest, nastiest stuff to a spot on the fringe or a quick, fleeting glance. The Ring is an intelligent horror film, one which understands that what we thought we saw is often far worse than what we did. And when the time finally comes to pay out, it does that very well, too. Our climactic meeting with the dank, bedraggled little girl in the video - literally crawling through the CRT screen and shimmering with dirty static - is an unforgettable slice of cinematic trickery. The rare case of a big budget Hollywood horror movie that actually gets it, this one goes to some crazy places and most everything still makes sense in the end.

Above average mystery drama/horror. The Casting, soundtrack and overall production value are impressive. The dialogue is super cheesy but it fits the genre well. Plot is intriguing and keeps you locked into the twists and turns. Very entertaining in 2024 4k Dolby vision!

One of the best horror films in existence, combining the perfect combination of both suspense and supernatural mystery, and ten times better than the 90s Japanese movie it is based on. I am fairly certain this is the movie that got me into the horror genre.

Poltergeist style girl living in a TV. This is a slick smooth teen horror that makes you jump but doesn't really scare you. It is not as interesting or gritty as the original by a long shot but packs a jumpier punch as there is less of a language barrier and the sound design is slicker. Gets slowed down heavily in the middle with little sign of progression. Too much implausibility (including too many computer effects), the original was a bit tough to believe but nothing compared to this one. The story feels a lot more painful when you know what is happening and you don't like the different journey. Some improved story ideas but overall a little disappointing compared to what they could have improved rather than make worse. Watch the original first and if you really want then watch this after - not the other way around.

Favorite Horror movie of all time, alongside just being one of my favorite movies. Still terrifying to this day.

I think it's a good movie. 1 scene is scary, but the rest of the film is quite interesting.

Very creepy movie. You watch this tape, and some creepy psycho lady appears along with her demon child.

The Ring is an amazing horror movie that everyone has watched at least once. The story is perfect, I loved everything about this movie, I just wish this movie was a lot scarier.

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[SPOILER ALERT: This review contains spoilers.]

Holy F*@k, that was creepy. This film is one reason why I don't own a VHS player (another reason is they don't make them anymore). It's also the cause of me not answering my phone, staying clear of wells, Naomi Watts, creepy little boys who talk funny, creepy little girls who come out of your TV, and Washington state.

The Ring has set a horror movie standard which pushed subsequent movies of the genre to display a more narrative, calm and creepy tone rather than relying on cheap jump-scares and gore.

After being satisfied with the 1998 original, I immediately jumped on the 2002 remake. My feelings were very similar, maybe a little worse. It's just that I'm the kind of person who's only scared of older horror films. Simply put, only if the camera quality is worse. Once the film is "very nice" or let's say modern, all fear goes away and I'm not scared at all because you can just see that it's a film. It feels more real with the worse camera. That's my opinion. I'm probably one of the few in this. Maybe the only one. I just wanted to say that compared to the original, where I was scared a few times and quite scared here and there, I wasn't scared at all here. It was a good movie, though, that's for sure. I understand that this particular 2002 version will be better for most, but I personally prefer the 1998 one. Like I said though, a good movie it is and I can recommend it.

A solid enough re-make of the Japanese classic horror movie. While it may not be as good as the original, it does succeed in the most important of all elements, and that's tension and scares.

Another horror movie with a weird story and annoying characters, here the son Aidan, who knows everything and say things, the even adults wold never say and the ex husband Noah, who is such a loser.

The Ring is one of my favorite horror movie. It is a remake of japanese horror film named RINGU. The introduction to this film is very smart. After few minutes into the film you realize just how mature and suspenseful of a film this really is. The characters are great. Rachael Keller is the perfect journalist. Noah Clay is sort of a comic relief, he's sarcastic and stubborn but is also very smart. Film is very unique in it's style, full of flash backs, creepy imagery, nightmares, mysteries, and hallucinations. It's very bizarre and surreal at times, which isn't very out of place since this is a supernatural horror/thriller. Overall, I would recommend this movie to any one with intelligence and an imagination. It is an amazing horror movie. I loved it and so will you, trust me.

[SPOILER ALERT: This review contains spoilers.]

All I gotta say is how is this movie got a pg13 rating and not r that’s all you need to know

Growing up I was terrified by this movie so I thought I would watch it again cause it was on Netflix. Naomi Watt's is incredible in this, the film is incredibly light on scares as I would define it as more of a mystery/thriller film than horror. Still, its shot incredibly well and is extremely atmospheric in a way that works and even then its a film that holds up well

The American remake that launched 100 more American remakes to varying degrees of quality. The truth is if the movie wasn't so damn good it wouldn't have started such a big trend. That being said its really one of the only ones that adapts it's source material quite successfully. It takes the story of an evil girl whose thrown down a well and haunts a cursed video tape. That if you watch it you get a call and only have 7 days to live. It's truly a nightmarish concept that has an urgency that just works. The original Ringu is superior and a brilliant film that is saturated in Japan's religion and mythology. Director Gore Verbinski (Pirates of the Caribbean) adds a domestic spin to the material that doesn't overdo it and just works. I remember going to see this at a preview show weeks before it came out and people freaked during the finale. In fact one grown man ran out of the theater. It's easy to see why the film was such a word of mouth big hit and deservedly so. From the stylish direction to the star making performance from Naomi Watts (Mulholland Drive) as well as solid work from hunky Martin Henderson (Torque), David Dorfman (Texas Chainsaw Massacre), Amber Tamblyn (Grudge 2) and Brian Cox (X2). Unfortunately it was followed up by an overly mediocre sequel and an awful reboot. Hopefully somewhere down the line they'll be able to continue it all successfully. A direct sequel to the first wouldn't be a bad idea. Budget: $48m Domestic Box Office: $129 Worldwide Box Office: $249 4.25/5

The cast does a decent job but this is such a needless, Americanized remake. It's not scary, Fails to remain even the least bit interesting after the first 1/3 of the movie and the ending is kind of a slap in the face.

Naomi is the blood and dust of the investigation, she found God along the road, a ghost seems like a joke, now The Ring Gore Verbinski, the director, I suppose was never looking to create a pop culture storm. And he did. I mean I was too little to understand the cultural impact it had. But it certainly traveled to me even decades and way too much distance later. And I think that he wasn't looking for a response as such for the film barely feels commercial. It is also not a horror. You have to go through that staggering final act and right after the credit starts rolling you realize the harrowing nature of the film and why it so boldly claims to be of that genre. For the film, the script in its structure is a good gripping story about a thorough investigation done right. Also along with that, the film has a short film in the storyline that she, Naomi, has to decode which I loved the most. Naomi Watts tries to understand the art form with clues spread across this art house short film. That's the premise. That's the film. And with a countdown ticking at the back of their and our head the film uses those elements as tools to increase the pace of the film. I saw it with my father and all he wanted to know, always was what day it was. The Ring is a sensational horror film primarily for it doesn't treat itself and its audience like the way it is endorsed. There are no cheap setups, no loud screams and no bourgeois schemes installed separately to scare us an excuse or definition of boasting that "This is a horror." Another aspect of the film is mythology, so malleable that it throws you out convincing you that it is not mythical. This juggling has you as a ball and you're going to have a time of your life, figuring out what happens at the end of the day. Seventh day.

The ring is actually not exactly a horror movie, but more like a thriller and mystery type.I like the subject very much,wondering what will happen every minute. generally horror films do not have such scenarios Other films in this style are often intended to scare but this movie we watched a woman trying to unravel the mystery of samara I have not fully understood the mystery of the cassette, but I am sure this will be clarified in the following films.(Gore Verbinski is a good director)

With competent direction and a chilling atmosphere, "The Ring" gets right under your skin and terrifies the crap out of you.

This film tells the story of Rachel, one journalist and single mother who investigates the death of several teenagers who saw the same videotape. According to legend, the video tape kills those who watch it in seven days. During the investigation, however, Rachel will eventually endanger herself and also the people she loves. Directed by Gore Verbinski, this film is perhaps one of the most famous and interesting psychological horror films of the recent years. The cast is led by Naomi Whats, Martin Henderson and David Dorfman, in the role of Rachel, her ex-boyfriend Noah and their son Aidan, a child who has an intelligence higher than normal for his age. Naomi Whats deserves a certain prominence, having got here one of the most memorable performances of her career to date. Adapting for the screen a novel by Koji Suzuki, this film has a very interesting soundtrack, which further deepens the suspense and expectation, that are just right for lovers of this refined kind of terror. A reference movie and worthy of congratulations.

'O Chamado' É um filme bem diferente , muito inovador , uma fita que te mata em sete dias , achei isso bem interessante , a Samara é um ótimo personagem , os mistérios , as histórias o enredo , são todos muito bem elaborados , é um ótimo filme de terror psicológico , certamente recomendado.

I'm perplexed by all of the negative ratings this movie has received. First, the design of the movie is spot on. It's dreary and rainy and everything seems tinted blue, which gives the film an aura of dread and discomfort throughout. This is good though, because it complements the story really well and so it puts you in the right mood for the film. Next, I found the story to actually be really interesting. It follows Naomi Watts as she does some investigating into the inexplicable deaths of some kids (one of whom she knows), and so you find out the twists and turns of the plot just as she does. While it obviously has supernatural elements, it operates in a realm that is plausible, where the characters make intelligent decisions, and where there aren't any cheap scares. You actually care about the main characters and you feel as curious as they do. I also like how, as opposed to the original, there isn't a lot of unexplained exposition. Rather, Watts actually has to SEARCH to put her story together, and added plot elements I think clear the story up and make it more compelling. In terms of scares, it doesn't have many, but that doesn't mean it isn't a scary movie. Again, the scares come from how the film is. It just feels creepy and chilling, and so instead of multiples scares with breaks of comic relief, it's just one long drawn-out scare. You still see Samara out of the corner of your eye when you're home alone at night, and you still jump when the phone rings. One of my favorite horror movies. Chilling, smart, entertaining, and well made.

A pretty good horror movie better then The Grudge. It's scary, fighting and I wanted to see there this has going to go................................

Before you die, you see 'The Ring,' " as the ads for this American remake of a famous Japanese suspense film tell us. With ads like this, the movie has certainly built up a lot of anticipation. But while impressively made, this impassive and cold feature fails, in a spectacular fashion, to deliver the thrills. The film, which opens nationwide today, is about an urban legend that has come to life: whenever a mysterious, unlabeled videotape is run, its unlucky viewer gets a phone call just after seeing it. The voice on the other end of the phone says simply, "Seven days." It's how long the viewer has to live — and the corpse looks like something out of a Francis Bacon daydream. When her niece dies after seeing the tape, Rachel (Naomi Watts), a Seattle reporter, decides to investigate the rumors. And that's when "The Ring" begins its downward spiral. She watches the freakout videotape, which looks like a director's cut of "Closer," the video that starred the band Nine Inch Nails, complete with suffering animals, a fly crawling across the screen and static-ridden flash cuts. As music-video effluvia goes, this tape is not even as unnerving as the outfits Lenny Kravitz wears to the VH1 fashion awards. Much of what follows consists of close-ups of the clues that Rachel, desperate to beat the clock and stay alive, sifts through to solve the mystery. The screen-filling shots of newspaper headlines and photographs chronicling the grisly deaths could be from a different kind of horror movie: "Night of the Working Dead," starring Nancy Drew. Initially, Ms. Watts, the versatile star of David Lynch's "Mulholland Drive," does a fine job of communicating Rachel's off-putting toughness. Under the best of circumstances, she scares everyone but her son, Aidan (David Dorfman), and based on the dark circles under his eyes and his solemn, old-man's enunciation, he's got problems of his own. But once it becomes clear that tight-jawed anxiety is surprisingly the only note on her piano, the movie feels numbed. Eventually, the phone calls don't even generate the anxiety of telemarketer hits that come during dinnertime. The director, Gore Verbinski, stages the opening with a tribute to "Scream," which itself was a tribute to "When a Stranger Calls" — the first scam thriller in which every single scare was in the movie's trailer. Perhaps the most puzzling thing about "The Ring" is that it seems to assume that horror-movie audiences have no memory. David Dorfman, with his "Village of the Damned" haircut and precocious maturity, seems to have studied at the Haley Joel Osment School of Fine Acting. Though there are a few chilling moments — one big scene involving a horse on a ferry is spectacular — everything in "The Ring" feels recycled, including the picture's look and tone, which are reminiscent of "The Blair Witch Project." "Ringu," the Japanese original of "The Ring," preceded and probably inspired "Blair Witch." Copies of the director Hideo Nakata's 1997 cult classic have made the underground circuit like the deadly videotape that fills the center of the plot of "The Ring." "Ringu" felt like an era-defining scare picture: whispers about its imminent remake have been drifting through chat rooms since word of its existence first made it to America. But the real spark came from the "Closer" video. And "Closer," the director Mark Romanek's grim, romanticized nightmare, with its well-appointed nihilism — honey dripped over Buñuel — was the perfect integration of visuals and the morose showmanship of the Nails leader Trent Reznor. At least the channeling of "Ringu" in "The Ring" is reverent. Unfortunately, there are other problems. Mr. Verbinski can assemble a movie like a machine, which worked for the scare comedy '`Mouse Hunt." But here, the mechanical assembly simply emphasizes how devoid of feeling the film is. One particular scene is just such a hollow set piece: a mentally handicapped young man pushes himself backward on a carousel while yet another crucial nugget of plot information is delivered. "The Ring" is there to be admired instead of to creep you out. There's also much huffing and puffing to add a psychological underpinning to the plot. "The Ring" also rejects the fear-of-girls stain that covered its original. The cinematographer Bojan Bazelli does tone up the bleary-eyed interiors — the movie's color scheme is "Exorcist" green and rotting-plaster white — but it doesn't make much difference; rather, it just exaggerates the relentless sameness. The Seattle location must have been chosen for its sunless, drizzly skies; there are so many shots of car windows weeping with rain that theaters should pass out squeegees. This seems to be the season for horror movies that are basically teases — offering a promise **** scare and then running away before delivering. "The Ring" is just one more in that cycle.

Fairly decent adaptation of the original one. Well acted, well paced, interesting and convincing. Some truly disturbing scenes, lots of scary stuff, earned jumpscares, suspense, a good musical theme and an ongoing eerie sensation.

There are far scarier films out there than The Ring, but that does not mean it did not scare me at times. There are some truly terrifying moments to be found in The Ring, but really, where it succeeds is a non-reliance on those scares. Through a truly creepy atmosphere set by director Gore Verbinski and composer Hans Zimmer, The Ring keeps you on edge without having to terrify you. In this way, The Ring is far more thriller than horror film, rather it is a thriller with horror elements. The way it adds to this with a great mystery/detective component as they try to figure out the backstory to the tape is captivating and truly engaging. I know it is a remake, but it still felt very refreshing in that way. Naomi Watts is great in this one, as are David Dorfman and Brian Cox. There may be scarier horror-type films out there, but not many as well crafted and put together as The Ring. What it lacks in scares, it more than makes up for with great direction, music, acting, and a killer story.

I guess this movie got mixed reviews from critics because it's a remake. I saw the American version before the Japanese one, like most Americans. I saw The Ring in theaters when I was 14, and it terrified me to to no end. I lost sleep. I watched it again and it still terrified me. This is the scariest movie I have ever seen. Movies are scarier the younger you are, and they're also scarier in theaters than at home.

To describe The Ring, two adjectives leap to mind: spooky and lame. The former refers to the tone and atmosphere, which are about as good as it gets for a ghost story. The latter refers to the storyline, which is about as poorly constructed as can be imagined – a sad amalgamation of irritating contrivances and gaping plot holes that defy even a generous attempt to suspend disbelief. And, while I normally appreciate open-ended motion pictures, The Ring takes things too far by leaving about 75% of its questions unanswered. This isn't an artistic choice; it's screenwriting sloppiness, and it results in a profoundly dissatisfying experience. I knew the moment I exited The Ring that I didn't like the movie, but the gloomy atmosphere is so seductive that it took me a while to realize why. The problem lies in the storytelling. The Ring is an incoherent mess, and the more you reflect upon it, the less credible it becomes. (Note: I'm using the word "credible" within the context of the horror/ghost story genre.) The movie seems to have been slapped together without concern about whether anything makes sense. The twist ending feels like something grafted on, and it left me with a question about which was more absurd – the revelation discovered by the main character or the manner in which she makes the discovery. People who are easily unsettled by ghost stories will be freaked out by The Ring. Director Gore Verbinski has studied the masters and understands exactly what it takes to create the perfect "boo!" moment. The loud noise, the sudden movement, the musical stinger – they're all there, and Verbinski employs them with enough skill to apply the "gotcha!" to even the most jaded, veteran horror fanatic a time or two. Unfortunately, that's about all this movie has going for it – quick, cheap thrills. The Ring is a remake of a Japanese movie that I have not seen. Fans of the original swear by it, which leads me to believe that it must be a lot better than the American version. Naomi Watts, making her follow-up to David Lynch's Mulholland Drive, is suitably appealing as Rachel. (Is it just me, or does Watts resemble a blond version of her friend, Nicole Kidman?) Martin Henderson is fine as her ex-boyfriend and investigative partner. And Brian Cox has a chilling cameo. Unfortunately, the other key player, child actor David Dorfman, is a blank slate. He comes across as a knockoff of Haley Joel Osment in The Sixth Sense – and that's a performance I wasn't terribly excited by in the first place. I don't recommend The Ring, but it's the kind of movie that could play well to small groups watching it on TV with all the lights out. At least there's no overload of gore – Verbinski has elected to go the suspense route. Unfortunately, he has such a weak script that his efforts amount to a not-so-triumphant victory of style over substance.

This is my favorite hour movie of all time, I have never seen such an impressive horror movie with jump scares, lost changes, sudden changes, and disturbing imagery. This movie truly leaves you with something to think about in the end.

[SPOILER ALERT: This review contains spoilers.]

The Ring provides its fail share of thrills but fails to provide enough scares to live up to its "horror" premise, even with its interesting plot and characters.

I consider "The Ring" to be a classic now. It's scary, suspenseful, and engaging. The twists and turns of the story keep you guessing even in the slower parts of the film. "The Ring" is really more of a mystery with some elements of horror than straight-up horror. There are definitely some very scary scenes such as the opening scene and when Samara comes out of the TV, but the film is really about trying to crack the curse. The fact that the main character, Rachel, only has seven days to break the curse adds an extra level of tension. "The Ring" also has great acting from the entire cast, and the cinematography is amazing. This really isn't the sort of movie that resorts to jump scares and excessive gore to scare the audience; it's all about tension and atmosphere. "The Ring" is definitely one of the better, if not, the best remake of an Asian horror film. It's really one of the best horror movies of the 2000's.

At the time, I recall an obsession amongst the public. Looking back, it's dated. Largely because of it's VHS nature. The Ring is successful in its thrills, but unfortunately not a Gore Verbinski masterpiece.

The overall idea of the film is great and should provide for interesting movie watching, but the film is a total bore. Who wants to see a movie where the main character is annoying? Some many questions, so little answers.

The Ring is too slow with nothing interesting happening for most of the movie. It's a disappointment when comes to being scary and providing any thrills.

The Ring is a clever script that doesn't quite come through in the clutch. It leaves so many questions unanswered at the end of the film that it is frustrating. However, the entire movie keeps the viewer on the edge of their seat wanting to know what will happen next. There are satisfying moments of suspense, tension, thrill, and fear. The film lacks exposition which hurts the main characters like-ability throughout, but despite the writing flaws Watts and Henderson do a decent job. The cinematography is breathtaking for a horror film and the sound mixing is exceptional. I have not indulged in the second of the series yet, but after this strong showing I will absolutely check it out. The Ring is a a few answers away from being a groundbreaking horror hit, and for die hard horror fans is a must see.

Not that scary. Just the last scene, when Samara is coming out of the TV. In conclusion "The Ring" is not bad, but there are some moments which didn't make sense at all, and it was not as scary as I expected.

It's a real horror thrilling film with actual goosebumps raising on your arms. And it holds a perfectly gripping story- very horrific and violent though. The film is effective on the mind and is visually brilliant through horror and graphic. The tape is very scary as Gore Verbinski has made it. Very gripping and a masterpiece from start to Finish. Now, a normal sensitive person wouldn't watch this movie because its very very scary movie but if you look it by thriller it's very intense and gripping. The tape is very unusual and weird telling the horrific story of Samara Morgan the main focused part of the movie- the villain and the controller of the tape. You wouldn't get the climax and you would with Samara creaking out of the tv that the camera guy is watching.

Scary as hell.

A haunting and hypnotic show fueled by a flawlessly determined performance from the extraordinarily talented Naomi Watts.