After a long hiatus, the legend of Samara returned in 2017 with Rings, the third installment of the horror franchise that once terrified audiences worldwide. This time, director F. Javier Gutiérrez attempts to bring the deadly curse from videotape to the online world, but the result is not as scary as expected. In this article, our editorial team will take you through what works and what misses in this sequel.
Plot Summary (No Spoilers)
The story begins when college professor Gabriel Brown (played by Johnny Galecki) discovers a cursed videotape that kills viewers within seven days. He starts researching and creates a website to stream the video on a loop, but this causes the curse to spread worldwide. Meanwhile, Julia (Matilda Lutz), the girlfriend of the missing Holt (Alex Roe), must uncover the truth about the video and the origin of Samara, leading to new clues linking to Samara's past and an unrevealed power.
Acting and Characters
Lead actors Matilda Lutz and Alex Roe perform adequately but lack the charm and depth of Naomi Watts in the first film. Johnny Galecki as Professor Gabriel tries to be interesting but comes off as unconvincing. Vincent D'Onofrio, playing the blind man Galen Burke connected to Samara, is a highlight with his powerful performance, but it's not enough to carry the film. Most characters are thinly written and lack dimension, making it hard to care about their fates.
Direction, Cinematography, and Music
F. Javier Gutiérrez directs with style, especially in scenes involving darkness and shadows that are creepy at times. However, the film lacks the gradual tension-building of the original. The cinematography uses dark, gloomy colors fitting the horror atmosphere but isn't particularly outstanding. The score by Matthew Margeson adds emotion in some scenes but is not as memorable as Hans Zimmer's classic theme in the Japanese version.
Editorial Analysis
Rings tries to adapt the legend to modern times by shifting from videotape to easily shareable online clips—an interesting concept. But the execution isn't as scary as it should be. A major weakness is the script, which attempts to expand Samara's lore but becomes overly complicated, lacking the simple creepiness of the first film. Additionally, repetitive jump scares fail to sustain fear. However, hardcore franchise fans may enjoy the extra details about Samara's origins. For general audiences, the film may not be memorable. If you're looking for a horror film that's both chilling and well-plotted, consider the original Japanese version or ซับไทย เอวี av for more options.
Verdict
Rings is a horror film that missed the opportunity to create contemporary scares. Despite a good concept, the execution and character development are not strong enough. Recommended for hardcore fans wanting more Samara lore, but not for those expecting scares on par with the first film.
Screenshots
👍 Pros
- +Interesting concept of the curse spreading online
- +Vincent D'Onofrio's standout performance
- +Additional details about Samara's origins
👎 Cons
- −Lacks the scares of the first film
- −Characters lack depth and interest
- −Overuse of jump scares
Top Cast
FAQ
Compared to the first film, it's not as scary. It relies more on jump scares than building a creepy atmosphere.
You should watch the first film (The Ring) to understand the origin, but this installment has a somewhat separate story.
No, but it has an open ending that may connect to the franchise's future.
