Review of One Missed Call (2003) by Galen A — 14 Dec 2007

Miike's tribute to the modern J-horror genre he had a big hand in creating with films like Audition, Gozu, Visitor Q, and Ichi the Killer. As a genre tribute this film works really well, combining well known themes from the genre like: Technophobia,Disturbed/supernatural children, mother and child separation, and vengeful a feminine vengful spirit with a young female protagonist.

Sometimes the influences are a bit too clear (the main idea was borrowed heavily from the film "Phone" and there are some obvious "Ringu" references too), because of that the film has a little trouble standing on its own as a j-horror film and is works better if seen as a tribute.

It is still a good film though, it is scarier than most other horror films I have seen. The spirits are more intense looking and a dim green color pallet (also common in these new wave J-horror flicks) helps build a creepy atmosphere.

Elsewhere, the plot is a little convulted as if he's trying to force too many genre homages in. Still, I will say again that it was wonderfully directed by a man who has helped define the genre he is paying tribute to and it is also pretty scary.

If it were a little more original it would be a 5 star film for sure.