frightflicks

This was the third or fourth movie directed by Japanese genius Hideo Nakata. Again, the story behind Honogurai Mizu No Soko Kara was taken from written work by Koji Suzuki, and successfully remade for the American screen.

Your heart immediately goes out to the movie’s lead character. Yoshimi Matsubara (played by Hitomi Kuroki) is a single mother facing an abusive ex. Neglected by her own single mother, Yoshimi is determined to do justice by her daughter Ikuko (played by an adorable, Rio Kanno).

If only the spirits present in their new apartment were as sympathetic. Soon after moving in, a mysterious girl in a raincoat starts showing up in the strangest places. Along with her comes a tide of strange water, leaking from the ceilings and eventually saturating everything in its path.

In traditional Japanese-horror flair, things get taken to the next level with Yoshimi’s mental health is attacked in family court … and she enters a coma. Why? Why does it have to be so overly dramatic?

This is one of those unfortunate experiences where the first half is wonderful and the last half is ridiculous. Ridiculous … but chilling all the while. I have to admit to having enjoyed the American remake (starring Jennifer Connelly, as Dahlia Williams) better.