Noroi: The Curse (2005) Arrow Player Review

Noroi: The Curse (2005) Arrow Player Review

The acclaimed NOROI: THE CURSE adopts a pseudo-documentary format as an investigative reporter into paranormal phenomena is forced to confront horrors beyond his wildest imagination after learning about an ancient folkloric demon.

Directed by Kōji Shiraishi NOROI: THE CURSE is a 2005 Japanese horror film that was positively received by many critics upon its release, however this is still very much a film that you’ll either love, or you’ll hate, there’s no middle-ground with this one. I am one of those that is not a fan. When I started watching the review screener that Arrow kindly sent me it became very apparent very quickly that I had seen NOROI: THE CURSE and my recollection was that I found it, at close to two-hours runtime, too long for what it was and very dull.

I ventured on with the viewing anyhow, as there’s always a chance that I just wasn’t in the mood for it when I first viewed it many years ago, and that now, I would see it in a more favourable light, unfortunately not. The niggles I had with it back then are still niggles that I have with it now. There’s the ‘stop/start’ approach to visuals and sound that fast becomes aggravating. And there’s also the laboured pacing and lack of any real incident early on to grab you, hook you and have you wanting to see where it goes. Shiraishi’s film feels vague plot wise and feels like it is never really going anywhere nor in any clear direction. It does go somewhere but you’ll require the patience of a saint to get to the end.

Noroi: The Curse will be available on Arrow Player October 28th