Brow Beat

It’s Japanese Horror Overload in The Ring/The Grudge Crossover Sadako vs. Kayako

Fans have been demanding a connected J-horror cinematic universe for years, ever since the first theories surfaced online that Sadako Yamamura, the black-haired ghoul in The Ring, was secretly Andy’s mom in Toy Story. Now filmmakers are finally connecting the dots with Sadako vs. Kayako, a movie that asks the question, “What would happen if someone watched the videotape from The Ring but then also moved into the house from The Grudge?” The answer, as the trailer makes clear, is “Nothing good.” 

The movie looks ridiculous, and it seems unlikely subtitles will improve things much, but Sadako’s movement and Kayako’s growl both have a certain lizard-brain ability to inspire terror, so this has a better chance of being frightening than, say, Freddy vs. Jason. Even if it’s awful, it’s great news that Japanese horror is finally building a shared universe. Watch for a post-credits cameo from Audition’s Asami, driving the Pizza Planet Truck!