The YouTube channel The Film Theorists has created a video where they analyze J-horror films such as Ringu, Ju-On and One Missed Call to find out why they have such a terrifying effect on Western audiences.
It turns out that one of the big reasons those films and movies like them are so effective is because of their fantastic use of sound design (something I’m very happy to see mentioned) as well as a difference in conventions. Simply put, Asian ghosts don’t play by the same rules as many other monsters, so they can create a far more suspenseful atmosphere whenever they so desire.
I went through a J-horror phase several years ago where I devoured pretty much anything that I could get my hands on. That’s why I think I had such a great time with this video, which really does a fine job at investigating and making its own point as to why J-Horror films scare us so much! Personally, the one that truly unsettled me down to my very core was Kairo.
Check it out and let us know your thoughts in the comments below!
