One Missed Call (2003) Chakushin Ari

Movie Rating R Contains: Strong Language Graphic Violence Gore Nudity Mature Situations

Director: Takashi Miike Movie Genre: Horror, Ghost Story Country: Japan One Missed Call Score Card The following scores are based on a 0.0 to 10.0 rating scale Hover your mouse pointer over the name of each scoring category below for a description Direction: 6.8 Writing: 5.7 Acting: 5.4 Cinematography: 6.8 Sound and Score: 7.0 Functionality: 6.6 Presentation: 5.8 Genre Comparison: 6.2 General Comparison: 5.5 Overall: 6.2 Reviewed 2007-09-27 01:21:00

Eclectic Japanese director Takashi Miike entered the over-saturated teen ghost story genre with his adaptation of Yasushi Akimoto’s novel, Chakushin Ari. The story is about a rash of voicemail messages that prove to be fatal. Once a victim is chosen he or she receives a missed call notice and a voicemail dated three days into the future. The voicemail consists of the victim’s voice chronicling their final moments. One girl, Yumi Nakamura’s best friend, Natsumi Konishi gets the call and Yumi does everything she can to solve the mystery behind these calls and prevent her friend’s death.

Instead of rehashing overused teen ghost story clichés, Miike brings something new to the table by giving the plot an air of exaggeration. There are jump cuts that synchronize with a woman clipping her nails and an overzealous news crew that tries to capitalize on Natsumi’s misfortune by hosting a televised exorcism. Also, there are several characters whose actions make them larger than life. Miike employed these elements and techniques as a manner of lampooning traditional Japanese horror conventions.

Since One Missed Call is a horror movie about a cellular phone that serves as a vehicle for a vengeful spirit, sound is an important factor. The ringtone that precedes each victim’s foreboding voicemail plays a vital role. Also, each victim hears the sound of an asthmatic’s inhaler seconds before they meet their ultimate fate. The abrupt hiss of the inhaler is an excellent compliment to the already taut and ominous atmosphere of the death scenes.

Even though this is a more conventional plot for Miike, he still manages to include a great deal of the traits that define his signature style. The dynamic of the dysfunctional family makes up a large part of the back story. There are the near non sequitur appearances of a prophetic ghost with only one line and a zombie with a heart of gold. Also in typical Miike fashion the movie’s ending is open for multiple interpretations.

One Missed Call is a thoroughly entertaining picture despite the Japanese teen ghost story being an overexposed genre. While not offering much in the way of innovation, this movie is most definitely a prime example of the sheer mindless fun a horror movie can be.