Japanese horror films feature some of the most violent and grisly images ever set to celluloid. They are also some of the industry's finest examples of film making.
J-Horror often features complex plots, stunning special effects and there is usually a female spirit with long, dark hair involved. The first thing you have to understand is that many of Japan's horror movies are based on their actual beliefs.
The Japanese horror movies often deal with ghosts or malevolent spirits. In Japan, these spirits are called "yurei." More often than not, the spirit is that of a woman or girl, dressed in white. She often has very long, dark hair which can obstruct her face from view.
A popular "yurei" is the spirit in the film "Ringu" or the U.S. remake, "The Ring."
Another popular theme in the J-Horror genre is the evil of technology. In the film "One Missed Call," cell phones are the harbinger of death as victims actually hear their own death on their phones not long before they die.
In "Pulse," ghosts communicate via the computer.
J-Horror films are directed by some of the most innovative movie makers in the business. From Takashi Miike to Hideo Nakata, American studios are constantly trying to land these artists to direct feature films in the United States.
They each have their own unique style of directing which is usually evident from the first frame.
As in American cinema, a J-Horror director's icon status can come from the success of a single movie.
Hideo Nakata has "Ringu," Takashi Miike has "Audition," Takashi Shimizu has "Ju-On" and Ataru Oikawa has "Tomie."
When you watch a J-Horror movie, you will be impressed with the acting. Horror is taken very seriously in Japan and they do not mess around with this genre.
Where in America, many horror movies are filled with cartooned villains and comedy relief, in Japan, there is usually no such thing. The story is taken completely seriously and the actors portray it as so.
If you try to watch a J-Horror movie with the English audio dub, you will be gravely disappointed. The English voice over totally takes away from the film and you will spend more time laughing at the voices than enjoying the movie.
Watching the movie in it's original audio, with English subtitles is always the best way to go. It's also the only way to stay true to the movie's dialogue as dubbed versions are not always worded exactly as the script was written.
Take the leap and try watching a J-Horror movie. You will be amazed at how well the films are made, and how scary they can really be.
If you find yourself bored with America's current crop of horror, try watching "Audition" and see if you are not the least bit freaked out.