Movie Review: The Ring Two (2005)
Synopsis
"The Ring Two," directed by Hideo Nakata and a sequel to the critically acclaimed "The Ring," follows Rachel Keller, portrayed by Naomi Watts, as she attempts to move on from the traumatic events of the first film. Set six months after her encounter with the haunting video tape that unleashes a curse, Rachel has relocated to the small town of Astoria, Oregon, along with her young son, Aidan (David Dorfman). Despite her efforts to lead a normal life and shield Aidan from the horrors of their past, the shadow of Samara Morgan looms large.
As strange occurrences begin to plague them once more, Rachel discovers that Samara’s malevolence is far from vanquished. The plot intensifies as Aidan becomes the target of Samara’s wrath, driving Rachel to confront the chilling truths behind the curse entangled with the young girl. The story delves into Rachel’s struggle to protect her son while uncovering deeper mysteries about Samara’s origin and intent. With an escalating sense of dread, Rachel must ultimately face her worst fears—not only for her son but also confronting the darkness that Samara represents.
Cast List
- Naomi Watts as Rachel Keller
- David Dorfman as Aidan Keller
- Simon Baker as Noah Clay
- Elizabeth Perkins as Rachel’s friend, Lucy
- Gary Cole as a local sheriff
- Sissy Spacek as the elderly woman in the film
- Misty Monroe as a townsperson
Review
"The Ring Two" serves as a poignant exploration of fear and the lengths a mother will go to protect her child, albeit hampered by a somewhat convoluted narrative that lacks the cohesive tension of its predecessor. While the first film presented a fresh, haunting take on the horror genre, its sequel struggles under the weight of expectations and an overcomplicated plot.
Naomi Watts, once again stepping into the role of Rachel Keller, manages to deliver a compelling performance despite the film’s structural shortcomings. Watts embodies Rachel’s desperation, frustration, and vulnerability. Her portrayal resonates with the audience, allowing them to sympathise with a character trapped in a nightmare, desperately trying to find a way out for herself and her son. David Dorfman, as Aidan, is commendable in his performance, as he convincingly transitions from innocence to terrified awareness of the darkness that surrounds them.
However, one of the film’s significant downfalls is its pacing. The plot often meanders, filled with drawn-out sequences that, while visually striking, do little to advance the story. The sense of urgency that defined the original "Ring" is notably absent here. Instead, the film seems to indulge in style over substance, lingering on atmospheric visuals that eventually run the risk of becoming monotonous. While the cinematography remains striking (courtesy of cinematographer Jaron Presant), its aesthetic brilliance struggles to mask the shortcomings in the screenplay, which falters in providing a coherent and engaging narrative thread.
The film also ventures into the territory of supernatural lore, attempting to expand on the mythology of Samara Morgan, but this exploration feels superficial and lacking in depth. The backstory surrounding Samara is somewhat expanded upon, yet it raises more questions than it answers. Audiences familiar with the first film might find themselves wrestling with the conflicting information presented here, causing a disconnect with the emotional investment in the character.
Hideo Nakata, who had previously helmed the original Japanese version "Ringu" and later "The Ring," does bring some unique flair to this sequel, incorporating several moments of unsettling imagery that evoke fear. Yet, these moments often feel disjointed and fail to coalesce into a powerful narrative or a consistent thematic framing. Comparisons to the original are inevitable, leading to a sense of disappointment as one seeks the same tight storytelling and atmosphere that made "The Ring" resonate with audiences.
The supporting cast, including Simon Baker as Noah Clay and Elizabeth Perkins as Rachel’s friend, Lucy, provides competent performances, but their characters are underdeveloped, leading to potential subplots that either fizzle out or derail the main story. Gary Cole plays a local sheriff who offers Fiona (Sissy Spacek) as an eccentric figure holding clues to the mystery of Samara’s origin; unfortunately, such character dynamics feel more like a means to an end rather than significant plot points, weakening the emotional connections that might elevate the overall impact of the film.
Furthermore, the film’s climax seems rushed and somewhat anticlimactic, failing to deliver on the suspense built throughout the narrative. While it attempts to provide an ambiguous resolution, it can leave viewers feeling unsatisfied and yearning for a more significant payoff after the drawn-out build-up. The horror elements feel diluted, and the psychological depth is underexplored, turning what could have been a terrifying confrontation into a lacklustre denouement.
One of the film’s redeeming qualities is its ability to evoke a sense of dread, effectively using sound design and visual motifs to create a haunting atmosphere. The soundscape—crucial in horror—adds to the unsettling mood, enveloping the viewer in a world dominated by fear. Every creak of the floorboards and whisper in the wind serves as a reminder of the lurking horrors. Yet, the reliance on these auditory and visual techniques, though impressive, cannot mask the narrative deficiencies that plague the film.
In conclusion, "The Ring Two," while ambitious in its attempt to continue the story of Samara Morgan and the challenges faced by Rachel Keller, falls short of its predecessor’s chilling impact. It is a film that stimulates a few moments of suspense and delivers on atmosphere but ultimately suffers from pacing issues, an overblown narrative, and underdeveloped characters. The performances of Watts and Dorfman are commendable, adding depth where the screenplay lacks, yet they cannot fully uplift the film.
In the sea of horror sequels, "The Ring Two" finds itself as a missed opportunity—one that could have expanded beautifully upon the concept introduced in the original but instead sputters along with a lack of clarity and urgency.
Score: 5/10
