31 Days of Halloween: Day 16

One Missed Call (2003) Director: Takashi Miike

Takashi Miike is one of the most exciting filmmakers working today.  The level to which he is both prolific and eclectic has no rival in the history of the industry.  In 2001 and 2002 alone, he directed a staggering fifteen projects, and has worked in genres from wacky family comedies, to period pieces, to horror.  What is perhaps most unbelievable is the fact that he is not simply a man of impressive statistics.  Even with this extreme output, he is able to craft great films in each of these diverse genres.

The Happiness of the Katakuris (2002) is a bit of a fan favorite, combining horror, family comedy, musical elements, and claymation, all in a single film.  It's one of the most ridiculous movies one could ever see.  The trailer alone is worth experiencing.

Then there is the epic samurai film, 13 Assassins (2011).  Directed with an impressive level of discipline, 13 Assassins follows a group of samurai who seek to kill an evil ruler during Japans feudal period.  The characters are well rounded, and the action scenes are coherent, unlike many action films today.  The battles are not created in the editing room, but instead use longer shots and complex choreography.  It's also really bad ass.

Miike is probably best known for his work in the horror genre, most notably his film Audition (1999).  Here Miike established himself as a filmmaker who is unrelenting in the content he will show on camera.  He has since become legendary for the level of violence in some of his pictures.  When I finally saw Audition I was rather disappointed in how tame the violence was, but I was extremely impressed in how great the actual film was.  Definitely check it out, if you haven't already. 

Now for One Missed Call.  The premise is as follows: you receive a voice mail from the future that is a recording of your own death.  At the time from which the voice mail is from, the phone's owner then dies.  Like many other Japanese horror films of the period, this one focuses on some sort of technology as the deliverer of terror.

The story itself is rather bland, and the mystery being investigated is not all that interesting.  In fact, quickly into the film most will probably notice how similar to Ringu (1998) it is.  Almost all of the same beats are hit at the same time, especially when it gets into the third act.  Does this make One Missed Call a bad film?

Sec, let me check if dad called me, or the evil ghost.

On a story level, this is one to skip.  If you're looking for story, then watch Ringu.  However, Miike's directing really saves the day with this film, because while the story may be unoriginal, One Missed Call is at least scary.  While watching this for the first time, I was questioning if I should turn if off because I was getting so scared.  Most of the plot points may be predictable, but that doesn't make the final moments in an abandoned hospital any less scary.

Miike's uses shadows effectively, and teases at something more horrific happening, although nothing ever really comes.  The result is a extended span of constant tension as viewers anxiously await for something to jump out.  Also, in classic Miike fashion, there are many elements of the final moments that are straight up strange.  For seemingly no reason, there is a scene were jars with fetuses are pushed into the hallway, and the actual ending is puzzling, to say the least.

While One Missed Call could be perceived as "just another J-horror film with a creepy little girl," it still offers a fair share of scares, even if the story is nothing new or special.  It's certainly worth looking into if you want to have trouble falling asleep.