Review of One Missed Call (2003) by Angelo P — 09 Jul 2007

For some one who knows first hand about the horrors of child abuse, I have to say that, like Tale of Two Sisters, Takashi Miike's One Missed Call is essential viewing. Originally presenting itself as a cross between Final Destination and The Ring, Miike takes us deep into the depths of a child's tortured psyche.

The disturbingly infantile music that alludes each of the forboding preminatory texts has a creepy nursery rhyme element to it which plays on every childhood fear you could imagine. This combined with subtexts of suicide, sado-massochism, munchausen syndrome and necrophilia all swirl in a continuous cycle around the central theme making Miike's juxtaposition of horror and family drama all the more frightening.

Admittedly, dramatic effect is sometimes compromised in favor of art and at times, scary scene can come over as a little dull, but the story makes up for these short comings shortly afterwoods. Throw in sum trademark Miike surreal violence and horrificly realistic suffering and you have yet another example to his disturbing though artistic talents.

If you only ever see one Takashi Miike film, see Ichi the Killer or Imprint, but if your a seasoned fan of his work then this should be a welcome addition.