10 Horror Movies Inspired By Creepy Urban Legends

The legend of the slit-mouthed woman is a common spooky story that has long circulated Japan, with the bothersome spirit serving as the central premise for the 2007 movie, Carved: The Slit-Mouthed Woman. In the film, the stories of Kuchisake-onna begin to circulate a town, taken straight from the country's own urban legend in kind.

Kuchisake-onna is a malevolent spirit that wears a cloth mask and carries a sharp instrument, asking victims if they think she's pretty. If you answer no, you'll get stabbed, and if you answer yes she'll show you what's under her mask. Disfigured with a slice from ear to ear, the spirit then asks if she's still beautiful - to which a no will STILL get you stabbed, or a yes will get you a slash across the face in the same way. There's no winning here.

The film takes this lose-lose situation and channels it into an evil force that kidnaps children and possesses mothers, wreaking havoc across the town she haunts. Whilst the legend is more conversation based and has ways of escaping the spirit - like throwing hard candy or telling her she's average at best - the film is a touch more pessimistic on your chances. Fair enough.