Hideo Nakata’s Ringu (1998) has inspired a whole subsection in the genre of teen-horror. Though not in the same league as that Japanese classic, Jeff Wadlow’s similarly creepy and unpredictable movie also has an unseen agent of fear driving the narrative. Typically innocuous at the outset, we meet the group of preppy brats who will be subjected to the malevolence as they set off in a brand-spanking-new SUV for a holiday in Mexico, with the sole intention of getting wasted and laid. Things go awry when they are lured to an abandoned mission by a fellow they met at a bar. During a harmless game of truth or dare, the camaraderie among them shows signs of cracking when some probing, narky questions are asked. With the realisation that there are dark secrets that none of them wishes to reveal, the movie suddenly gets interesting. The ‘demon’ has taken a hold of proceedings and it will see to it that an untruthful answer or unwillingness to follow through with a dare results in death. It is cleverly plotted and acted in a histrionic style that is perfectly suited to the near-edge of hysteria that prevails. Another likeable aspect of the production design is the minimal use of CGI – it heightens the tension. The presence of the ‘demon’ is flagged by characters’ faces being transformed to resemble something like the Guy Fawkes mask of the Occupy movement, but apart from that there is very little visual skullduggery. The relationships between the youngsters (a few of the blokes look too old for their parts) is tight and unwavering and, best of all, I had no idea where the story was headed. The circumstances surrounding the suicide of Markie’s father looked to be obvious from a point earlier than Wadlow may have wished, but a resolution remained foggy. This is one of those movies in which, despite your better judgment, you find yourself becoming totally engrossed and, even with the copycat Nakata ending, it is well worth checking out.
For four decades The Echo has printed the stories some people loved, some people hated, and some pretended not to read. If you want us to keep telling the truth, the real truth, not the sugar-coated version. We’ll need your support to keep the presses rolling.
If you are a local business owner help us and in turn we help you. All The Echo asks for is advertising, not a free ride. It is every advert in The Echo and on www.echo.net.au, which creates the space for all the stories and coverage of community events, happenings and concerns.
If you are a reader you can become a sponsor of The Echo. Your support keeps the us independent.
Even a small one-off or regular donation from you will help keep the echo’s independent voice alive and strong.
Support Us
Become one of the supporters who helps keep independent, local journalism alive in the Byron Shire by contributing anything from as little as the cost of a coffee each month.
You’re supporting The Echo, thank you
Your contribution is keeping independent, local journalism alive in the Northern Rivers.
Because of supporters like you, we can keep every story free for everyone — no paywall, no exceptions. Your money goes directly to funding our newsroom of 40-odd local workers covering the stories that matter to this community.
Tell us what you think, give us your opinion
The Echo loves your letters and comments and is proud to provide a community forum on the issues that matter most to our readers and the people of the NSW north coast. So don’t be a passive reader, email us your epistles at editor@echo.net.au.
The letters deadline for The Echo is noon Friday. Letters longer than 200 words may be cut. The publication of letters is at the discretion of the letters editor. Please remember to include your full name, address and telephone number.
Online comments are no longer available.
