Film Critique – The Curse (2026)

      The Curse, 2026.

      Directed by Kenichi Ugana.

      Featuring Yukino Kaizu, Yu Teng Yang, Mimi Shao, Shiho, and Ray Fan.

      SYNOPSIS:

      Riko, a young receptionist at a hair salon, leads a mostly quiet life until she notices alarming social media posts from her Taiwanese friend. After attempting to reach out, she discovers her friend passed away six months ago, raising questions about who is managing the account. Soon, Riko, her roommate Airi, and her ex-boyfriend Jiahao find themselves experiencing supernatural events tied to a curse. But who or what could be responsible for this curse?

      Japanese horror has long recognized the threats posed by excessive technology. The 2001 film Pulse depicted a ghostly invasion through the Internet, showing living people vanishing into the void in a world that, despite being overcrowded and overly connected, still felt lonely. Sion Sono, director of 2001's Suicide Club, referred to online communication as "suicidal." The Curse of 2026 follows this theme, with a specific focus on the dangers of social media.

      Although Riko has a job and friends, she spends most of her time on Instagram. When she isn’t working or interacting with her roommate, her phone is always in hand, the app open. This obsession leads her to realize something is off with her friend Shufen and ultimately results in her being cursed.

      It’s logical that a curse today would manifest through an online video rather than in secrecy. Indeed, nothing feels genuinely real unless it’s online, presenting one of the major questions of the film — would Riko still be cursed if she hadn’t watched the video of someone cursing her? The movie doesn’t provide a clear answer, but supernatural events only commence after she views the video featuring a mysterious figure casting a curse on her. Perhaps it suggests that reality only exists when it garners views.

      The film also examines social media’s darker side, especially how individuals form parasocial connections with influencers and celebrities. Furthermore, The Curse highlights how people often share only the best moments of their lives online, which can negatively impact others’ perceptions of their own lives.

      The movie starts with a powerful scene of a girl running frantically down a road at night. Unfortunately, her fate is grim and the scene is rather gory (and slightly repulsive). However, after this strong opening, the pacing slows considerably.

      A bit of break in a horror film can be refreshing, especially when the film relies heavily on jump scares like this one does. Yet, The Curse tends to linger too long on the details of Riko’s life. Is it necessary to see her checking behind curtains and underneath the bed more than once? Do we really need several shots of her boss watching her with a creepy gaze? While some slower moments make sense, like Riko walking by a neighbor’s dog or sipping coffee on her way to work, certain scenes feel aimless and cause the plot to drag.

      However, when the pace does pick up, it excels. In true Japanese fashion, moments become extremely bloody, grotesque, and occasionally even amusing. One standout scene features Riko informing her roommate that her eyes are bleeding before suggesting she fetch a towel instead of taking her to the hospital. Other characters grapple with everything from black vomit to the compulsion to harm themselves. Though the level of gore is moderate overall, it may still deter some viewers.

      The acting in The Curse has its shortcomings too. Yukino Kaizu delivers a lovely performance as Riko, but her character often appears overly reserved, resulting in a lack of emotional expression. Yu Teng Yang, as Jiahao, faces a similar issue, though he manages to convey a bit more emotion than Kaizu. On the other hand, Mimi Shao and Ray Fan (as Airi and The Woman) perform brilliantly, particularly when the story descends into chaos.

      The Curse might leave audiences with several unanswered questions — was Riko's father ever truly present? What was the purpose of Riko's boss? — but it's an enjoyable viewing experience. While the chaotic moments are entertaining, the lengthy stretches of inactivity are less engaging. Overall, this film represents a fairly typical J-horror offering that doesn’t significantly distinguish itself, apart from its commentary on social media addiction.

      Flickering Myth Rating – Film: ★ ★ / Movie: ★ ★

      Misty Layne