4. Ju-On The Grudge
When it comes to the trove of modern Japaneese horrors it is always a toss-up between this and The Ring as to which one wears the crown but this makes up for what The Ring lacks in skin crawling creepiness and has some of the most memorable images in Asian horror. Spawning an American remake franchise as well as a computer game and influencing many Asian films in the process The Grudge ranks in my top 5 horror films of all time and is undoubtedly one of the most chilling modern films you are likely to see. Not one to watch alone with the lights off, The Grudge follows several characters who all encounter a remote house where a vengeful husband killed his wife and child before commiting suicide years previously. Japaneese folklore suggests that the spirit of the deceased lingers on in their place of death and in this case the murdered Kayako and Toshio are bearing a vengeful grudge against anyone who enters the house. Not only has Shimizu orchestrated some of the most visually iconic scenes in horror (the multi-jointed, blood drenched Kayako crawling down the staircase towards you, appearing under your bed sheets to drag you into another world- shiver), but he has also created a fantastic soundscape for the film. Whether its the raspy death croaks of Kayako, Toshio's freakish meowing or the ominous scratching and clawing, the sounds of Ju-on will live with you just as long as the sights and the score, created by Shiro Sato is infinitely more eerie than most of Hollywood fare. I don't recommend that horror fans watch this Japanese chill-fest- I insist that they do