By blending the familiar with the modern, The Curse stands out as a unique and horrifying film that tackles the very real terrors of the internet age.
As a fan of the horror genre, it’s rare to find a film that truly gets under my skin and stays with me long after the credits roll. The Curse has done exactly that. Kenichi Ugana’s latest work is a terrifying and deeply unsettling film that had me watching the majority of it through my hands – no exaggeration.
It wasn’t just the jump scares, but a lingering sense of dread that came over me with nearly every frame. I never knew what was going to be lurking around the next corner, and the film’s masterful pacing kept me on the edge of my seat from start to finish. It’s an effective horror film because it understands that what you don’t see can be far more terrifying than what you do.
What I found most compelling about The Curse is how it takes a familiar genre trope and updates it for our current reality. The film cleverly uses the framework of a typical curse movie, like The Ring or The Grudge, and modernizes it with themes centered on social media. The premise is that a cursed entity is spread through social media posts, or at least that is the best way to explain it without spoilers. As most can agree, I feel social media has become far too prevalent in this world. Which is strange to say as someone who is so chronically online for my job, I know.
The Curse taps into a very real anxiety. We have all been guilty of comparing ourselves to others based on what we see them post online, often forgetting that people are only sharing a curated version of their lives. The film serves as a chilling reminder that what we consume online, and the pressure it puts on us, can have dark and unseen consequences.
One of my favorite things about The Curse is the brilliant performance of Yukino Kaizu, who plays the protagonist, Riko. She is the one that the audience will connect with the most, and I certainly did. From the moment she decides to investigate her friend’s mysterious death, we are on this journey with her.
As we become more and more aware of the dangers she is in, Kaizu does a wonderful job of conveying both her fear and her determination. Her performance is the anchor of the film, and she carries the weight of the mystery and the terror with a quiet strength that makes her character’s journey feel both authentic and deeply personal. Without her, the film would not have been nearly as impactful.
As someone who is a big fan of Asian horror, I can say that The Curse truly goes there. It creates a horrifying environment without relying on excessive gore or gruesome scenes, which I appreciate. The terror comes from the atmosphere and the unsettling imagery. The director was also incredibly smart with how the central demonic figure is presented.
Although we get a lot of glimpses of her, the camera never focuses on her for too long. This creates an unsettling and deeply creepy effect, as each fleeting glimpse is more unnerving than the last. The unseen and half-seen are far more terrifying than a full reveal, and Ugana uses this principle to his full advantage.
The film also has some truly disgusting scenarios that are separate from the main demon. Hair is a big aspect, but not so much about it covering the face as in other films I have seen. Instead, it shows up in unexpected and stomach-churning places, like in food, which made me not want to eat for quite some time after watching.
The ending is particularly perfect. Without giving too much away, it is not at all what I expected, which is a rare and welcome surprise in a genre that can sometimes feel predictable. It leaves a lasting impression and provides a strong final note that makes me hopeful for the future of this world. I would definitely be seated day one for a sequel.
Overall, The Curse is a top-tier horror film that I would recommend to any genre fan. It’s creepy, smart, and genuinely scary. By blending the familiar with the modern, it stands out as a unique and horrifying film that tackles the very real terrors of the internet age. The strong lead performance, effective scares, and unique visual elements make it a must-watch.
About The Curse
After seeing her friend’s disturbing social media posts, Riko tries to intervene to help her but fails to prevent her from dying a mysterious, violent death. Convinced there is more to the story than a suicide, Riko dives into a world of memes, influencers, and posting for attention. As the pile of bodies grows, and Riko faces her own possible curse, she and her friends travel to Taiwan to find the source of this demonic social media killer.
Kenichi Ugana is a prolific Japanese genre director who first attended Fantastic Fest in 2023 with VISITORS. In the intervening time, he’s made four feature films, and his latest, THE CURSE, is about life in the internet age and the terrors hiding in addictive algorithms. With the structure of a typical curse movie like THE RING or THE GRUDGE, Ugana updates the formula for the age of Instagram and Twitter.
The Curse played at Fantastic Fest 2025.
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