The Grudge Review: 2 Ups & 8 Downs

1. The Occasionally Brutal Gore

Horror fans were somewhat optimistic that The Grudge hit screens with an R rating, compared to the previous 2004 US remake, which bafflingly touted a tween-friendly PG-13 rating.

And though the first two acts of this movie are frustratingly restrained with the red stuff, the third act finally lets loose with some genuinely nasty and revolting gore sequences.

Without giving much away, a scene involving Lin Shaye and a knife is sure to have audiences squirming, largely thanks to Shaye's demented performance and the surprisingly strong practical effects work.

Another sequence in which a character damn-near explodes into a bloody mess after jumping to their death is also sure to entertain, as it's one of the few moments where The Grudge truly seems to embrace its inherent trashiness.

The film could certainly have done much more on the blood 'n guts front to make itself more watchable overall, but what's here hits the visceral mark at least.