10 Great Horror Movies Turning 20 In 2025
5. Noroi: The Curse
There are many superbly scary, affective, and imaginative Asian films from the 2000s that’ve gained sizable followings (Kairo, Dark Water, A Tale of Two Sisters, One Missed Call, Ju-On: The Grudge, etc.) One lesser-known gem that’s just as worthy of admiration is Kōji Shiraishi’s craftily disturbing pseudo-documentary, Noroi: The Curse.
It centers around the recovered footage of paranormal documentarian/author Masafumi Kobayashi (who recently disappeared during the making of his latest feature, The Curse). Unlike much of the era’s footage found offerings, however, Noroi is surprisingly believable and unsettling because of its subtlety, daringness, nuance, and unpredictability.
Its unshakable magic lies in its dense moodiness; narrative twists (including the reframing of previously seen scenes); modest yet chilling use of visuals and sound effects; and downright horrifying ending (involving child endangerment and corruption).
Together, these elements allow the film to feel like an actual true crime/paranormal investigation that should’ve never been completed, broadcast, and witnessed.
As with a lot of Asian pictures in the genre, there’s rich storytelling and emotion surrounding Noroi: The Curse’s commendable scares. Consequently, it’ll keep viewers up at night contending with both the terrors they’ve just endured and the larger psychological and spiritual implications they’re forced to contemplate.