Was Ju-On Origins too disturbing? Review and Discussion | Spookyastronauts

[@sailorhathor9705]

Never really understood why the open-mouth death face from "RIngu" and this series, apparently, are considered cheesy and funny by some viewers. If I found someone I loved dead with their face frozen in that position, or looked into their coffin and saw that, I would start screaming and probably have a nervous breakdown. But I know more than one person who didn't understand how it could be scary at all. You have to think about it from the characters' point of view. Suspension of disbelief.

[@spencerpommier806]

I consider myself a pretty brave person whenever it comes to spooky stuff and that elongated mouth Express if I face has been in the back of my head since I first saw it over 10 years ago. Even in daylight yesterday while putting my hand over railing after taking a run I just imagine the white hand grabbing it and pulling me somewhere. It sucks, I remember seeing a girl in one of the sequels in a coat hiding in the corner of a club and hands just forming out of the hood and pulling her inside. There's something about the way that it doesn't matter where you are or what you're doing it's just there that never really left me

[@necromorph238]

The show really surprised me. I wasn't expecting it to go as far as it did in terms of shocking content. I loved it. I wish more shows had balls like Ju-On.

[@rabidheartbeats5953]

i came in with low expectations (especially after that Sadako VS. Kayako mess lol) and was pleasantly surprised. it harkens back to the good old J-Horror of the late 90's-2000's. i really liked it

[@jgarcia4721]

I watched that movie very late one night and was NOT expecting that much camp!

[@mikealan1984]

Girl i was eating lasagna watching episode 4 WHEN HE CUT THAT BABY OUT OF HIS WIFE'S STOMACH I HAD TO PAUSE FOR A GOOD HOUR THEN I REALIZED IM NOT HUNGRY ANYMORE LMAOOO

[@spookyastronauts]

This comment made me laugh so much

[@mikealan1984]

@@spookyastronauts lol thank you its sooo true i haven't watched the rest yet that scene just came out of nowhere

[@vdan2879]

Did the phone ring?

[@livinginhorror5679]

Putting spoilers before you write something would be great! Thanks!

[@mikealan1984]

@@livinginhorror5679 EXCUSE ME (ROLLS EYES)

[@bib5025]

The show had a much more unsettling and unpleasant atmosphere than the films. The scene with the little girl broke my heart. But I loved it. Great work as always Emma.

[@safinash2165]

The atmosphere actually reminded me of the 2003 sequel, just the same unique feeling of despair and dread.

[@bib5025]

Safina Sh I agree the feeling was the same. It set the same type of tone but it was just ratcheted up and more mean spirited.

[@rinmitchell6034]

I’ve learned my lesson in a very sad way about trigger warnings, my mother is very traumatized by a certain kind of content. I watched her have a terrible flashback triggered reaction when watching a film we weren’t expecting to have it. I now look up most films to see if they have this content for her safety, if someone doesn’t want to know what happens and don’t think they’re subject to trauma they don’t have to look up trigger warnings, but it needs to be accessible in some way for people that do

[@CurlyGirlAtTheMovies]

It was definitely a lot different than what I expected. The human factor was scary, but that fetus scene 😱 it creeped me out

[@skilla4hire]

That fetus scene was crazy.

[@kimberlyvines2668]

I don’t know if it’s because I’ve never witnessed a fetus look like that but the CGI screwed me up. I should have been horrified but it just looked so plastic that I couldn’t.

[@sdqsdq6274]

@Em Pressler ha,had a good laugh

[@flintsteel]

“You step foot in that house and your f**ked!” Haha, thanks Emma, that genuinely made me LOL.

[@jagged-panda]

The 'ghost shadow' made me shout out in shock just because of the high contrast look - wasn't expecting it. Really creepy. Baby scenes were definitely distressing too. Good series but hope there will be more episodes because it really did end abruptly.

[@skijumpnose]

Thanks Emma, More Asian horror to watch this weekend along with the new Train To Busan movie!

[@stephaniefraney3033]

I also have to suggest The Wailing OMG one of the best Asian horror films I've EVER seen 🖤

[@mysticumlavandula9676]

LOVE train to busan. can’t wait to see the sequel.

[@jsan3743]

Wait... what??? A new Train to Busan??? How did I miss that? That's awesome!!

[@spookyastronauts]

I haven’t seen any info on where it’s being released

[@brajeshsingh2391]

@@mysticumlavandula9676 same here. Train to Busan was a really good movie. But is the Grudge so good that a series was made.

[@atheobald79]

I definitely agree with you about the age rating for the show. Here in the uk it has a 15 certification and I spent half the show thinking there’s no way this should be a 15 lol, I’ve always loved horror and Japanese horror in particular but if I’d seen some of these scenes at 15 it would have fucked me up lol.

[@ghosty8193]

This comment is old, but I agree with that last part. I'm only 18, and I liked Origins. I watched some stuff as a kid I really should not have (Guinea Pig, Slim Pickings, Antichrist, Tumbling Doll and even Fritz the Cat). They all really fucked with my mental health. Origins should not have been a 15.

[@MsScylla]

I could not watch past the car scene in the first episode, I took my headphones off and noped out. I don't mind watching heavy stuff in horror movies, but just that alone was too disturbing to me. And it's not even that I couldn't sit through other episodes, but I draw the line at child abuse and I just don't know if it ever repeats in further episodes, so i just don't feel like watching it now.

[@Simkets]

Right? I've watched past it but for the rest of the episode I had cold sweat all over me... after the episode ended I knew I'm not coming back to it. There wasn't another scene in the first episode but I'm sure there will be in the future ones, so I'm out.

[@MsScylla]

@@Simkets Man, I forgot all about my comment and this show. Now I have to go watch some Disney musicals for the next several hours. Kudos to you for finishing the episode though. I couldn't

[@Simkets]

@@MsScylla Oooof sorry, I know how you feel, I'm really sensitive about this stuff too >n

[@barbie_joo_]

Yeah that was really disturbing. I stopped watching at ep 2 because it literally had sussy stuff in it and it focused on toxic relationships. Also very boring as well. I might as well go watch anime plus feel good shows lmao

[@givenchymamajama3859]

@@barbie_joo_ you’re boring lol

[@anmanarrative]

Just discovered your channel and I love what I'm seeing so far, can't wait to check out the rest of your content. Ju On: The Grudge is my favourite horror movie and I adore the franchise as a whole (I even own the Wii game). So seeing a new Japanese series was really exciting, and I did end up really enjoying it. Here in the UK the series is rated 18 which, considering the original films were only rated 15, immediately told me this would be more disturbing than those. I do agree that it is ridiculous how many people treat rating as just a measure of violence rather than a warning of darker content. Personally I didn't have an issue with the content. Yes it got very disturbing in places, but I didn't feel it was out of place. It's not like the franchise never went into that territory before (the first novelisation had some scenes similar to the series), I think it just came as across as more shocking because it was depicted more graphically than what we were used to. And frankly, I like the idea of focusing on the human horror, after all what made the Saeki family so effective was the tragedy that caused the curse in the first place. As weird as this may sound, especially as a fan of the series, it was the ramping up of the paranormal aspect that threw me off. The beginning of the series had the hauntings being far more subtle and low-key, I was half expecting them to explain how they weren't actually real and it was just hallucinations and paranoia fueled by tragedy (really lean into that idea of it being real-life events that then inspired the films). Of course then the prison scene happened and... yep, there was no mistaking it then. Still it was a good series, I felt like they were returning to the atmosphere of the original films while still doing their own thing. I was also very pleased that they didn't try to do the Saeki family again because nobody can replace Takako Fuji as Kayako.

[@larsstoerloes6619]

I just checked my own Netflix, and I can see that here in Norway it has been given an 18+ age restriction, which is rare even here.

[@sleepingsleepsleep]

I LOVED the vibe in the show, Japanese horror is it's own scary. I just had to peace out early from straight triggers. I wanna know what happens but also I'm going to FREAK if I see any more domestic/sexual violence.

[@givenchymamajama3859]

the grudge is too realistic and gritty of a franchise for you. the whole back story relies on domestic and abusive relationships

[@thefinalgirl3639]

Same. I watched the first part when it was first released... and I turned it off. I'm like in out. No thank you. I'll stick to the Sarah Michelle Gellar version.

[@briannae9213]

I'm a huge horror fan and my pre-teen is well aware of this and ultimately I believe it's my job as her parent to explain to her that I sensor what she watches not to punish her but to shield her from content and images that her brain isn't ready to deal with and if she really wants to watch something she can make a list for when she's 16-18. There's plenty of time to watch movies and shows like this. My husband and I really liked this series and definitely expected a ghost story and got a lot more than that! Very disturbing and scary!

[@calebleland8390]

As a fellow parent, I commend you. My parents did the same with me growing up, and my wife and I have done so with our kids. However, my son kept sneaking off with my horror DVDs, so now at 17 he's pretty much just like me. Addicted to the stuff.

[@ghosty8193]

I'm not someone who believes in censoring anything for kids. They shouldn't have access in the first place if you're that worried, if that makes sense? However I kind of commend you, I had full access to the internet at age 8 and I saw some fucked up shit (both real and fake) and I am still dealing with mental issues caused from what I had seen. On the plus side, it made more aware of my surroundings and moral compass. Good on you

[@jgarcia4721]

I just need to tell you yours is my favorite intro of any KZbinr

[@spookyastronauts]

Thank you 🥳

[@anthonywaggett9317]

Hi Emma, first of all thank you for introducing me to this, I'mm a big fan of J-Horror. I have watched it through once and like you was confused a little with some of it, but only enough to watch it again 2 or 3 times. A few personal thoughts here. 1. It was called Origins so people expecting the same as the films need to buy a dictionary. 2. The format was a surprise, although considering the Japanese popularity of serialised Manga and OVA's maybe understandable. 3. Acting, sound and cinematography was amazing - the framing in the final episode through the trees, wow. 4. This looks like it may be the pilot series for the Yasuo Odajima character, lets face it, that was something in his 4th book. And finally, the first episode credits gave away the fact that Screaming Mad George worked on puppets (we can guess what he made). Once again thank you, keep up the good work and stay safe (also first time I think I have heard you say **bleep**)

[@tomchandler5648]

I mean Aftermath, Human Centipede, The Antichrist and Nymphomaniac unedited, was all on Netflix so...I can't be shocked. I also don't find it out of line with shockwise AHS, or any J-Horror like Takashi Miike people watch. It's def "off brand" for the early 2000's pg-13 stuff.

[@skilla4hire]

Exactly!

[@sigmacademy]

Takashi just dropped a brand new film (this year, I think?)!

[@ghosty8193]

Right! Like Gasper Noe's 'Climax' was on netflix (which, wow I was extremely surprised when I saw that) but that had an 18 and it isn't a fraction as bad as Ju-On Origins.

[@isabellamorris7902]

@@ghosty8193 Yeah - I'm a more squeamish/easily disturbed viewer and I sat through Climax just about OK. I looked on IMDB at the content warnings for this one, and... nah, not gonna touch it. Some others in the comments are saying that they weren't prepared for the content -didn't even get a sexual violence warning, in some cases - and tbh if that's true then some of the backlash may have been justified. In the UK, the BBFC always warns for stuff like that (and suicide) and has done for ages. This *looks* like it goes beyond even what you'd expect of an 18, which I think merits a disclaimer.

[@ghosty8193]

The thing with movie ratings is that no one takes them seriously unless it has a triggering topic. I've seen parents let their kids (like 11 year olds) watch SAW because 'it's just gore' but get gassed over The Platform because of the cannibalism and overall violence. Like what? I've been watching horror movies WAY before I should have and it fucked me up in some regards but idk. I have a weird relationship with TWs but for me, it all depends. A TW for violence? Sure, it won't spoil the movie. Putting a rape TW at the beginning of Irreversible? Ruins the whole movie.

[@renparsons4826]

I’ve never been particularly ‘triggered’ by any part of a horror movie/series before so didn’t take the warning seriously 😑 wish I had because the scene at the end of the first episode really got to me, went into it expecting the old school ju on style and was shocked by this new reimagining. I gave up after the beginning of Ep 3 but watching this has made me want to carry on with it

[@ryebread9299]

Dave Wavy it’s not that things are okay or not okay, it’s what has more visceral on screen graphic content, it’s also what a person has experienced and what they haven’t. Don’t be a dick

[@laurenbray8314]

@Dave Wavy you're overreacting.

[@frankiebaxter2590]

@Dave Wavy I agree with what you're saying but I think you're reading too much into this persons comment

[@prettynpetty8342]

@Dave Wavy dude relax. People get triggered and draw the line at different things but we can all agree that those scenes were really fucked up.

[@Alex-jz5yw]

That black-white shot of the woman against the glass door is burned into my brain

[@spookyastronauts]

So creepy!

[@carsilk2492]

If there’s one thing I expect in Japanese horror, it’s the weirdest shit you can think of

[@baddkoneko1549]

Theres literally a MA on the corner of the screen with a list of things that may be in it. I hate ppl sometimes lol. Overall i loved Ju-On and movies/tvshows shouldnt have to cut parts out to appease ppl.

[@mariellas7369]

I loved how this series epitomized the visceral trauma-based horror Japanese films embody. The ghosts are secondary to the human violence which creates the ghosts in the first place. The true monster in Japanese horror cinema is nihilism, cruelty, and inherited ancestral trauma. If you are familiar with the stylistic works of Takashi Miike and similar Japanese filmmakers, you will love this high-budget journey deep into the darkest shadows of human nature in the way only Japanese horror can portray.

[@RukoHanaji]

Iirc, many of the incidents are based on fact, for example the news reports airing in the background. But the telephone thing is specifically from a murder in 1988 in Nagoya. An intruder killed a pregnant woman, cut out the baby, then robbed her. Hours later, her husband returned home to find the corpse of his wife and a conscious baby, and crammed into the cavity of the woman's stomach was a phone and car keys.

[@MichelleCaplan]

Well look at this - another thing to watch because Emma. Looking forward to the series!

[@spookyastronauts]

Enjoy!!!

[@Nexils]

It started a little slow and then got pretty damn good around the middle. However, its ending was so abrupt that I had to look up if I was missing an episode or two. It has some really cool ideas for sure and the three main characters are fine, but everyone else has these odd motivations and generally they're making dumb decisions all over the place to make the scary stuff happen and that generally never works for me. In the end I thought it was a fine series, but honestly not that much more. I am looking forward to a season 2, though.

[@MartiniLuv49]

I'm so glad you mentioned the IMDB rating area. I didn't know that existed and after reading it about this show, I know I couldn't handle it. Thank you!!!

[@spookyastronauts]

Thank you!

[@EverydayCityCarry]

Great breakdown. I loved the series. It showed more human horror and the ghosts just accentuated this. I hope for a season 2.

[@binkusbonkus]

I don't think trigger warnings or content warnings are just for children, but more for people with trauma. My ex has PTSD and can have violent flashbacks if they watch scenes with sexual assault or sexual violence. That's where the term trigger warning comes from after all. It's to inform people with PTSD that there may be triggers for their trauma in the content.

[@spookyastronauts]

Oh yes I totally agree! Trigger warnings are from survivors and content warnings are for children. Sorry if it didn’t come across that way, that’s what I meant about checking out content warnings on imdb.

[@revolution724]

I have a different perspective on spoilers, although I very much appreciate your efforts to allow your viewers to avoid spoilers if they prefer that. You can’t unring a bell, as they say. I have some very strong triggers as a survivor of CSA, so I don’t avoid spoilers at all. I want to know if there’s something that’s going to cause me psychological harm. I vet everything on Does the Dog Die. And I watch channels like yours because I can’t watch a lot of content but I am really curious about it, so movie/TV reviews give me a taste without injuring me. On that note, thanks for your engaging content that allows me to do that.

[@calebleland8390]

I absolutely loved this series! It made me realize what it is about the horror that we put out here in America that's lacking: Emotion. I spent a good portion of my binge last night just wide eyed and uneasy. And that is what good horror should do. It should make you feel ill at ease, it should elicit an emotional response. Eff the sanitized, made for teens horror movies that our studios have been handing us (I know, they have an audience that isn't me). The fetus scenes, the sexual violence, the general - and legit - tense moments in this series all made my skin crawl, and it made me appreciate what they were going for. Hell, as a parent, the fetus scenes just freaked me out. Love it! As far as the warnings. I wrote about this on Facebook, and I did include a trigger warning about rape. If you haven't been through that trauma (and obviously, I haven't), then you can't know what sort of PTSD one suffers. However, you do make one hell of a point, Emma. It is rated TV-MA here in the States. And it does warn of "sexual violence" (it also warned me that there was smoking, which I was SO relieved that they warned me about it, while I was smoking myself). Yes, that can be rather vague, but when you combine that with the rating, you should know that it's not going to be a picnic. But overall, I loved it and can't wait to see what they do next. Great review, Emma. Even if I disagree with you about Tetsuya.

[@Houldey]

I saw this show up on netflix and I was curious, hadn't actually watched it yet but definitely sounds like its worth a look. I'm glad you had a lengthy spoiler free section - i reckon this might be one I never got around to if i'd not heard more about it. I also still have the 2020 Grudge to watch still, but....well - nothing tells me it should be a priority lol. I did however remedy a recent blind spot - I eventually watched The Descent (UK Unrated / 2005) and god it was good, wish i'd got around to it sooner >.

[@LS111AT]

So good!!! It’s in my top five horror movies! Amazing character development and I liked the character design. Killer movie

[@shaynathompson8857]

Yeah don't be in a rush to watch the 2020 The Grudge. I usually like horror movies that alot of people hate on but this one deserves it lol

[@arviduebelacker]

I accidentally watched one of The Grudge movies when I was 11. Couldn't sleep properly and always had to check everything for the better part of a year. Was quite fun in retrospect, but real horror back then. Didn't leave me entirely unscathed, too, I think, because whenever in a horror movie there appears a similar looking pale girl with black hair and all it does freak me out especially intensely. haha

[@elizabethg9129]

Your videos are helping me get through this crazy year! I like to pretend that we're friends out for coffee, in public, talking about movies.

[@spookyastronauts]

Omg thank you so much ❤️

[@camilat8268]

I love coming to your channel I feel like I’m needing out with someone about horror movies lol

[@spookyastronauts]

Thank you! It’s nice to just discuss something we’ve all just watched instead of never getting our thoughts out

[@camilat8268]

spookyastronauts exactly! Especially when it’s something as exciting! I watched it with my brother and he said the same thing about Tetsuya haha

[@theresatruitt1167]

I’m glad you mentioned that face! I really enjoyed this series but I too was a little confused by the decision to show that particular face, lol. I guess I was expecting something more grotesque, maybe like some of the victims in The Ring... or just leave the casket closed.

[@rachellydiab]

Have u seen a dead body? having seen a dead friend I know I'd be terrified if I saw them like that.

[@sticketer]

Finally, my wish came true. A review from your perspective. Thank you Emma.

[@watchthisnow2865]

So glad to hear your thoughts on this series! I have to admit I was pretty shocked and confused watching this one. I didn't see a trigger warning at all watching it and I was surprised to see things go there. I like your take on ratings and warnings though.

[@spookyastronauts]

Thanks, I didn’t know about the backlash until I looked into it... interesting stuff

[@palmaceiamovie]

The Grudge has been badly treated, Glad that many seemed to enjoy this! Was never really into The Grudge, even with most of my stuff being suspense built. Love the review!

[@Iorekbyrnison100]

The Ju-On series has always been a fairly bloodless (yes, there are a few exceptions) series of "don't go in the basement!" moments with pretty senseless plots. I've always enjoyed them, but this one threw me for a loop. It was much more mature, violent, and disturbing than I was expecting from a franchise famous for contortionists in bad makeup. I really enjoyed what you had to say about it. Maybe since this was supposed to be the "real" story that inspired the films, the film-makers of the subsequent "Ju-On" movies couldn't cover all of this human misery in their interpretations. Just a thought.

[@caveman3021]

Hello from Canada : ) I just finished this series and while Im 50 and Ive been a fan of horror for years, this DID disturb me and creep me out. But it was also nice to get the story behind the story. I cant wait for season 2 Thanks for posting this review : )

[@spookyastronauts]

Thanks for watching and sharing your thoughts

[@sci-fiwasabi1590]

Thanks for clearing that up; the time-shifting aspect really confused me! I keep forgetting kids can easily watch this stuff, so it's probably best if the rating warns them of what to expect. I've seen a few hundred Japanese and Korean films, so everything on display in Origins felt rather standard, as sexual violence occurs almost casually in Asian features; be it drama, thriller, or even comedy. So perhaps that aspect of it wouldn't have been as much of an issue back in Japan. What did surprise me was the related 'news' coverage throughout the series that was based on real events at the time; with the details altered of course. Those events really enraged the nation, which was actually good nightmare fuel for the houses' vengeful spirits to feed off. I'll never get the Junko Furuta case outta my head.

[@sigmacademy]

The case is pretty haunting, but want to know something even more disturbing? I believe 1 or 2 of the guys have daughters? :/

[@mikez.2285]

Thank you for this review. I wasn't going to watch this series in a million years, because the original Grudge films that are established in the mainstream didn't age that well for me, despite the fact that I was scared as hell, when I watched them at a way too young age (12). When I revisited the 2004 Grudge, the story fell flat and the croaking noises and the pale boy couldn't evoke that same feeling from 15 years ago. Now I have the series on my watch list. Thanks, Emma.

[@rishisingh5999]

spooky, you make this series worthy of a look. thumbs up spooky.

[@spookyastronauts]

Thanks!

[@bananabob4567]

Have you heard of the book “I’m Thinking of Ending Things” by Iain Reid and the upcoming film adaptation coming to Netflix in September? I’m curious to see how they’ll adapt it but it has good people attached to it, adapted and directed by Charlie Kaufman, starring Jessie Buckley, Jesse Plemons, Toni Collette and David Thewlis! Just curious if you’ve been hearing about it, if you have the time I’d recommend the book, it’s pretty short and an easy read (imo)!

[@7LAMPSofFIRE]

I love your voice. Its so warm and enchanting

[@bengrimm_up_all_night]

Yes i totally agree with what you are saying about Trigger Warnings. They have rating on the too at the beginning. If you want to know exactly what happens a lot of them are listed in Parental Guides of IMDB. People should be able to look at that stuff. Maybe Netflix and other companies could put a clickable link on the synopsis screens where you can click and find out the "trigger warnings" before you play the movie. This way the info is available for people who need it whole not spoiling anything for those who dont.

[@jamiepaich]

Thanks Emma, I was unaware of this series and I jotted it down (I'm at work now. What? I can't watch a little KZbin at work?!😅) to make sure I check it out this weekend! Good discussion too. I think overall, the "General Public" are numb and lack universal awareness as well as self-awareness. Therefore when they're confronted with the real horrors of life, or the created horrors of a movie or series, they're shocked. Anyway, I gotta get back to work. Thank you much!

[@spookyastronauts]

Thanks for watching, hope you enjoy the series!

[@AlexLong98]

The disturbing parts were some of my highlights, episode 4 was crazy

[@seangerant653]

Emma is back with a new video !!!!

[@spookyastronauts]

Yes I am!

[@santiagoprietov.4493]

I love how violent it was, the first episode creeped me out

[@esoteric76]

My jaw definitely dropped a bunch of times. I'm not sure if I followed all of what it was trying to say, but the images were startling enough to make the time worthwhile.

[@soniaiboyako4023]

My thing with the way trigger warnings, or even content warnings, are used is that it tends to be very broad. "Sexual violence" lets ppl who don't want to see any kind of depiction know that they might wanna skip this one, but for ppl who just can't deal with very graphic rape scenes it doesn't say if they'll see that or something that isn't "as violent". It's better than ppl announcing "trigger warning" and not saying what kind but it's still pretty vague. And that coupled with an abysmal rating system is.. yeah, not ideal. TW and CW allow to have a better idea of what to expect and watch out for. People who don't need them can fully ignore them. I don't think saying "there's an explicit rape scene in this movie" is an actual spoiler, you don't know who it involves, when it happens, if it actually has an impact on the story, and again you can just go in blind. Trailers can spoil as well and I don't hear anyone say they shouldn't exist

[@Corn_Pone_Flicks]

Whether or not it constitutes a spoiler depends on how it's used in the story. For example...SPOILER, for anyone who hasn't seen Mother!... if the film contained an advisory stating that "a baby is killed," the event would be obvious from really early on; we WOULD know when to expect it because of context. I also wish the term "trigger warning" could just be retired in favor of, well, just about anything else. There's content that people don't enjoy seeing, but not liking it and full-on PTSD are not the same thing at all. For something like a streaming service, you could have a content advisory on its own page or expandable section, so people who don't want to risk spoilers don't have to see it, and anyone who's is worried about content can click it and read further. As for trailers that spoil the movie, I have in fact seen MANY complaints about them, with many people refusing to watch them anymore because they're often poorly conceived and give away too much. It's not a matter of whether they should exist at all, but of how they're executed.

[@thrawncaedusl717]

What I would want is for it just to have a link you can click to see the exact trigger warnings, but not to even have descriptions like “sexual violence” that just show up on screen whenever I pause. That description did spoil Shutter for me, as it kind of gave away the “twist” and I really wonder how I would have felt about the ending if I had not known what to expect.

[@RedX845]

I was on the fence whether to watch this show or not, but after watching your review I'm now both really excited and scared to watch it! xD And I have to say, thank you so much for talking about ratings, they're so important when it comes to horror movies and the general audience seems to always take them lightly which of course they shouldn't!! :)

[@elizabeth-leavesandreads2890]

The baby bento box scene really shocked me , I immediately thought “ what the fuck?” I didn’t expect them to go there. I laughed but not like in a humorous way, I was so uncomfortable lol.

[@georgewhite1972]

I must admit that the tetsuya coffin scene made me laugh like an idiot. I actually rewound it back a few times. It made me wonder if that was intentional.

[@spookyastronauts]

Hahaha I’m glad I’m not alone

[@krombopoulosmichael]

I was on the fence with with one...wasn't sure whether to check it out due to reviews (slow burn, confusing) but after watching your video I'm excited to see it. Thanks Em.

[@RavenHouseMystery]

I haven't seen the show yet, but I will get to it. Thanks for the spoiler warning. I did want to comment though on the ratings topic. It does perplex me how some people take their kids to an R-rated horror film and then get upset about the content. I'm sure the same is true about horror streaming shows today. Too intense for kids, that's why the MA (Mature) rating is there. Set your parental controls!😩

[@markaitkenguitar]

Haven’t seen the show, but this is an excellent look at ratings and consequences. Great video!

[@ryalwoods1087]

I loved the original series of short vignettes or 44444... as Emma identified them. The key motivation of the ~baby~ was part of that, and just as visceral, it's an important piece of the story and I'm glad they didn't sidestep it.

[@metalahhhhhhhhhhhh]

Heres my honest take. Yeah there was quite a bit i wasnt expecting to see going into watching Ju On Origins that being said I knew just from the trailer alone that it would involve some pretty heavy scenes that and its rated MA anything with that rating is usually always gunna have some ultraviolence, the anime Baki is a good example. If people got offended its kinda like... the rating is there for a reason. Also I like how you compared it to Hereditary I DEFINTELY felt that comparison when watching this too

[@TheAnadromist]

Great discussion Emma. What's the point of a trigger warning if it's got a rating. I personally get tired of warnings, even spoiler warnings. Also Japanese culture works very differently than the Anglosphere. But you've piqued my interest. Thanks. I'm actually on Netflix for one month only to catch up with Dark and other foreign series.

[@TheZachValentine]

Emma! Can I ask what camera you film on? The quality in this video just looks so nice! I just finished Ju-On Origins and highly enjoyed it! Absolutely loved it and hopeful for a season 2! Thanks for your review!

[@hXbradshaw]

I think if a person is going to be legitimately triggered by some of the more shocking and violent aspects of horror then they need to do their research before watching any movie above a PG-13 rating. Ju-On basically did have trigger warnings if you look at the rating given, AND - if I’m remembering correctly - came with a sensitivity warning at the beginning of the series. No basic rating or sensitivity warning could’ve prepared the viewer for the birth scene UNLESS the viewer read spoilers beforehand. So viewers who know they are triggered certain things need to decide whether they want to experience the film or show as is, or go in prepared and a little spoiled, because those of us who DO want to experience it don’t need or want explicit trigger warnings going in. Horror is horrifying, that’s kind of the point.

[@ghosty8193]

100% agree. The thing is, ratings aren't taken seriously unless it's a horror and then it's too late because people get triggered. It's like going in to watch Irreversible blind, and getting upset at the rape scene even though every website I've seen it on, has a TW for sexual violence. That's what I like about horror, it's horrifying

[@MsKassandraKotaku]

Very interesting. Your impressions were almost opposite of my housemate and mine (we’re both girls who have watched a ton of asian horror). First we both loved Tetsuya and his entire storyline. We also didn’t have strong feelings about the bento baby scene. It seemed pretty par for the course actually. We were shocked at the teens in the house scene even though we saw it coming. Still...I will say the way it was film was effective and I will give them props for not filming it in a gratuitous way. It seems those types of scenes are normally filmed almost as if they were as you say romanticized. It was so nice to not see a scene that way (even though that scene was difficult to watch). The hardest scene for us was the scene with the teens, telephone, and mother. Overall, we both really liked it and marathoned it right away. It seems to be something that gets better over time. It’s been over a week since we watched and talking about it yesterday, we decided we really liked it. I’ll definitely be back for a season 2 if they have one. It was an excellent exploration of real horror and the horrors humanity inflicts on each other.

[@Kimberley81]

Loved this perspective , it does make me wonder about what my boundaries are

[@genevieve7778]

Thanks for this awesome review! I was debating watching the series but now I’ll definitely check it out.

[@JustCallMeMeghan]

I agree that trigger warnings would spoil some aspects. But if people took the time to pay attention to the start of each episode, in the top left corner it says why the show is rated as it is. "Sexual violence, gore, language, etc". There's literally a trigger warning on each episode. Perhaps some people never noticed that. Perhaps they did, and didn't care. I am the type to check the Parental Guidance section on imdb before watching a film. Maybe people who are easily triggered should do the same. 100% agree on the shock value. ♥️ Great review!

[@sigmacademy]

13:10. When I saw that my first thought was about a scene in Enter the Fat Dragon (the 2019/2020 version), a modern martial arts movie featuring Donnie Yen, where they fish out the body of a man out of the harbor, and he has this weird cross-eyed look of surprise on his face from a powerful kick the head baddie had given him when he was being interrogated for info. To say I LOL' ed would be putting it mildly? ;)

[@sigmacademy]

If they wanted to go with a creepy look, they should have gone with that shot of a person and it's misshapen face (out of fear) from The Ring that was found in the cupboard (I believe?) - it was the very messed up face shot you only saw for a brief second. Or maybe that dead, vacant look of victims at the end of the film from Dead Silence (Mary Shaw and Bill the Dummy) paraded as photos, I believe? That would have been very scary! :)

[@her484]

I was so confused watching this but I think I got it. Also, I´ve watched horror movies since I was 5/6 years old so I´m a little bit desensitized but I can understand why some people might need trigger warnings, especially because... Oh boy, this wasn't what we were expecting. I definitely agree that the baby scene was fucking creepy, actually thinking back it was the creepiest thing in the series for me.

[@elizabeth-leavesandreads2890]

That scene was very disturbing for me , well multiple parts were. I couldn’t imagine watching that at 16. I think it was a well made series.

[@raoulmontefiore4803]

It's about extreme cruelty and how that haunts us psychologically or, in the context of this story, in a figurative supernatural sense. Kiyomi was the best illustration of this. Violence involving children and rape are obviously the two most disturbing possible subjects and most shocking when they are portrayed dramatically with believable human impact rather than bad-taste spectacle. Combined with the very creepy ghostly aspects made for a full-on horror. Pretty hardcore for Netflix and understandably not for everyone.

[@sigmacademy]

Yet on the other side of that you have Parasite that walked away with several awards and was lauded as a must-see by Hollywood. Granted it was not a horror per se, but it had its moments that was disturbing. :/

[@TheCJ9080]

Finished the whole thing in one sitting, I would say the show is quite captivating and has decent plot. It explores some of the really distressing themes of how humans can commit the ugliest deeds, and how grudge can consume and destroy one's life. The most disturbing part of the show for me is witnessing how Kiyomi started out as an innocent high school girl, and got turned into a broken victim of rape and domestic abuse, her life eventually became so consumed by misery and resentment (well and the curse too, sure) that she can no longer live with herself. It's truly heart wrenching. Although I thoroughly enjoyed the show, but I gotta agree some of the scares/scene are SO unintentionally funny - the coffin face reveal, the food eating infant, and especially the disintegration of one of the character into a small human flesh-bits on the asphalt outside of the house, really got me laughing hard when I should really feel scared.

[@amynorman2842]

My main issue with the rating and trigger warnings (or lack thereof) was that it did have TWO....Two trigger warning for language and smoking. I know Netflix includes trigger warning for sexual violence because I've seen them on other things. This feels to me, more like they are leaving things out to broaden their viewership because if they included all the relevant trigger warnings people may not have tune in. I am not against these types of movies or shows being on netflix but there needs to be appropriate warning, period.

[@spookyastronauts]

Thanks for sharing your thoughts Amy, I wonder if the backlash will create any change

[@mconcepcion752]

The scene in the past with the baby distorting it's mouth and the shadow woman banging on the window disturbed me to my core. I had a nightmare where I encountered something that looks almost exactly like it, except it was a profane version of Jesus. Scariest nightmare I ever had

[@okmeowokmeow]

I honestly saw the original ju-on as something that dealt into the realm of how bad humans can be. I mean, what Kayako’s husband did to her, just because he saw another man’s picture in her diary... It was so disturbing and horrifying, and at that point there was no grudge or curse to blame, just a man being a real life monster. I feel like it wasn’t explored enough, but it was always there. Even in the newer american one there were those bullies girls, who tricked their classmate, making her feel accepted, just to pull a prank on her.

[@sigmacademy]

That's why I say that the American remakes got Ju-On wrong. In Ju-On it was always about the deceit and deception of human beings that led to their dark side being amplified by the house, while the ghost just helped them along to their inevitable demise. In the American remakes, it seems as if the ghost is doing it all, which is not what the original was trying to say. That nuance was mostly lost in the remakes. The house preys/or exploits, tensions in any relationship to continue its continued survival and victim count, almost like a psychic/ghost vampire. :)

[@35PHaaton]

I loved the series and growing up on the SEA area of the world, i'm used to sensitive materials in horror movies due to asian horror movies and asian thriller-action movies. It really felt refreshing, because the american remake didn't do the grudge any justice.

[@andrewhussey4538]

To be fair, those of you who have seen the original ju on pre-film incarnation (just ju on as opposed to ju on: the grudge), know it gets into territory pretty damn close to this series, it's not without precedent. SPOILER like in, I want to say ju-on: the curse Takeo, Kayako's husband in a jealous rage when he reads Kayako's diary, runs to Kobayashi's house right after killing his wife, child and cat and believing that Toshio his son wasn't his, proceeds to brutally murder Kobayashi's wife and cut her unborn child out...then calls Kobayashi on a payphone with the fetus in a bag, tells him what he's done and smashes the premature fetus in a bag apart in the street. He then is implied to be killed by kayako when garbage bags in the street start crawling toward him...that's about as disturbing as I think it can get, definitely just as bad as the worst in this series...it's a brutally effective moment, when the teacher calls his wife earlier to say toshio is alone and he'll be home for supper later she says someone is at the door and she has to go, you're so focused on the horror in the house you think nothing of it until later when you realize "holy shit, he let his wife go just to be killed by the same guy who murdered the people he's about to be killed by"...I remember seeing that scene and being pretty shocked, I'm not bothered by any of it really, shocked but not offended as it fit the narrative and tone of the film...but if there WAS a warning of it, I wonder now if it would have been less effective, I understand trigger warnings, but it seems well known the grudge deals with topics like a man slaughtering his own family, it's a series anyone with issues to be triggered would just by logic kind if avoid? It's a tough balancing act

[@Brunorego80]

Actually, you don't even need to set foot in that house to be screwed. If a family member or a friend goes in there, you're done as well. That became quite clear in the Ju-On 2 (2003) movie.

[@dannydorito9134]

It also feels a bit disjointed which can make it a bit hard to follow If you ask me and I think something has been lost in translation which happens a lot in Asian horror films I think I've flicked between the original Japanese with subtitles and the English dubbing a couple of times and though what's said in the subtitles and the dubbed version are similar there is just enough nuance between them to make difference in the perception of what is said also I haven't actually finished it I've got two episodes left to watch

[@sigmacademy]

15:04. The baby with its mouth opening up so unnaturally large kinda reminded me of a foreign flick called Coming Soon - it had a "cursed film" slant to it, but in a weirdly interesting way. There is this old man ghost that literally takes his hand, places it in his mouth and start pulling his lower jaw down into an unnaturally long downward angle that needs to be seen to be believed. Not as gross as Tokyo Gore Police or Carved aka The Slit Mouthed Woman (the Legend of Kuchisake-Onna), though? ;)

[@estebk]

11:44 Me when I see a movie or series about a person about to enter a haunted house. You made laugh so hard Emma xD

[@prettynpetty8342]

I had to stop watching after episode 4. I felt physically sick. Even though that last scene was horrifically hilarious to me. This show will REALLY trigger people and test some boundaries. I really think the violence against women in this was brutal and saddening.

[@lobbehym]

6:34 When Emma said "certain movies" I automatically thought of the movies she illustrated. Lol. Those shock-value moments in those films were sooooo unexpected fr. BTW, Netflix just doesn't give a hoot. Have you seen 365 Days?! Horrified!

[@THEDONTTELLSHOW]

I gotta see this. The first one I saw (the fourth in the series I think), I had to turn off halfway through, go downstairs and have a normal conversation with my family before starting it up again haha nothing else has scared me that much.

[@musicmann1967]

I like what I've seen of the series. (I haven't finished it. Somehow I got distracted watching other things) I'll get back to it today thanks to this reminder.) There were some absolutely shocking parts of what I did see. (like what the kids did to their new classmate) I NEVER thought I'd see that on a TV show, and it's awful, but it was so low and creepy and original, that I want to see more of this show, if they're handled that well. Shock for shock's sake is obvious and dumb, but if they do something original with it, creating a mood of creepiness and/or dread, like they did with that, I'm in.

[@anthonywheeler2082]

I saw four of The Grudge movies and this was the first in the series that I loved. It's such a dark, nightmarish horror story that if you don't immerse yourself in the genre then I could see how it would throw you for a loop. Also I think this series is meant to be watched multiple times. It is pretty short.

[@somethingbadishappening]

Just binged the series today, when I say that you want to make a video about it👀✌

[@Nava53100]

I don’t think trigger warnings should ever be considered a spoiler... I also don’t believe sexual assault should an element of horror or used to intimidate an audience. Don’t get me wrong I think assault can be discussed (shit happens in real life) but it is does NOT need to be shown or act out. There’s so many issues I have with that and I’ll die on that hill.

[@sigmacademy]

Well let me be the one that makes the balanced argument - I'd say that some films or shows CAN show it, but only where it is ABSOLUTELY necessary to the plot and story being told. It should not be the first go-to for every horror script writer when portraying a woman in a horror film and it should never be a common occurrence. The reason why I say that, is that you might like to tell a powerful survivor story (I'm thinking about the legal drama of The Accused and the infamous pinball machine scene), and if you don't show some scenes, the context might be lost on the audience. So in short, you trivialize the awfulness of it all, and people will not all be able to understand the impact it has on a person unless they see it for themselves. It's why movies like Last House on the Left, The Hills have Eyes and I Spit on your Grave movie series and the female revenge genre in its entirety are such powerful movies. On the other side of that, is that movies featuring assault of any kind should never be considered "entertainment". There is something inherently wrong with that kind of mindset, I would think. It can be used as some kind of popular education, I should think, in so far that if you hurt a woman in such a way, she's gonna hurt you way worse, so best not do it at all. At least, that's my take away from horror movies over the last 30+ years. And I think that's one hell of a message to have in a movie! ;)

[@sigmacademy]

That's my justification why it should be there, but very sparingly, because that boosts the shock of its impact when it is shown. My personal opinion on it, like you, is that it isn't even necessary in 99.9% of the cases - a story doesn't need such a scene in there to be successful as a horror - gore and atmosphere is what is necessary, and not always at the hand of the big baddie, either, or all the time. :/

[@Nava53100]

Marinus van Zyl Marinus van Zyl I hear exactly what your saying, but my argument is this.. you can still tell the story of sexual violence without showing it by having performance and clever writing. I think of Seven with the Lust victim or Kill Bill with “Buck”. Movies like Last House were literally exploitation films. I think of The Evil Deads tree scene, even Sam Rami apologized.. I don’t think it’s radical to ask that filmmakers not put r*pe scenes in their movies. It literally does more harm than good. The only movie that has challenged my beliefs on this was Nightingale, but I do believe the narrative shifts when a woman is discussing r*pe behind the camera. I mean I could make this argument with violence against children being shown. There’s just not a place for it and I think it’s lazy writing/filmmaking when you result into showing it. I mean if you’re making something that exploits someone’s trauma and triggers an audience.. I think you failed at making a good movie. Im not speaking for all survivors and their trauma but I am saying that I like revenge stories. As an assault survivor I love to see women kick some ass but I don’t need to physically see her get assaulted to want her revenge. I digress

[@Luv_my_cats]

I can’t wait to binge on this tomorrow 👀 😱

[@rednand1544]

I liked how they used the curse, even though they have no direct connection with Ju-on (2000, 2002). I think they tried to go back to the origin of the curse with "Ju on - the beginning of the end", so making a serie with another origin for Kayako or Toshio wouldn't make sense.

[@MrAndy12878]

Your analysis was tight & After 9 original films as of now, shorts etc.. this was an 💉 the franchise needed. Also the supposed true influence & source material are way creepier.✌#spookyastronauts

[@spookyastronauts]

Thank you!

[@MrAndy12878]

@@spookyastronauts 🤟

[@shavonneclark5226]

trigger warnings are important for me in the context of r*pe and sexual assault because i have PTSD and it’s really harmful and traumatic to watch a movie/show and then all of a sudden feel violated/have to relive my trauma again.... so many just through r*pe in their movies or shows, especially horror, it’s hard to have to walk on eggshells all the time. i understand not everyone carries this trauma but for the people who do, trigger warnings can be the difference between enjoying a film/movie (with caution, but still like everyone else) or having a full blown panic attack, and we all deserve to enjoy the content we watch without it being harmful!! :) the fun thing about watching horror is that you can be scared but nothing will really happen to you! however, this is different for people with trauma and scenes like that can be genuinely harmful to someone. thanks for starting the conversation! :)

[@julianmiller4595]

I think the use of "babies", might be a reoccurring tool & theme that will pop up more often in the horror genre now that this, RE8, and maybe other forms of recent media has seen such a loud & expressive response to.."babies".

[@christy6008]

I just finished the series. I agree with Tetsuya, so silly. These faces in The Ring etc really creep me out and I was preparing to see his face and I burst out laughing 😂. Also found it so hard to follow, too many subplots but it was a fun little watch!

[@phillipblack480]

There might be the next disturbing Netflix production right around the corner: I finished reading Iain Reid´s I´m Thinking of Ending Things some days ago and I´m still wrecked by it. I think this is the darkest book I ever read and I´m more than curious how Charlie Kaufman will adapt it.

[@Nyx127]

Oh wow, I had no idea they were doing a film adaptation!! That book still sticks with me and I read it about 5 years ago. Excited!

[@aleco444]

The clip where the little girl was crying because of her kidnapper. And the camera zooms away from the car slowly, you hear silence no music and the girl crying getting beaten by the abuser inside the car as it shakes. That was more traumatizing than the fetus scene. I just remembered it and it was just haunting. More so, because I know that it is more likely for that to happen than the baby cutting scene. Idk, just me. Edit-damn, the baby scene is real😮

[@CaseyHavaich]

Ive heard enough, I need to see this now! Great video