Sadako vs. Kayako: The ultimate horror face-off

MANILA, Philippines – Thanks to social media hype, Sadako vs. Kayako is able to get its much-awaited cinema release. It all began with a fan-made mash-up of these ghoulish characters on April Fools’ Day of 2015. Eight months later, in December, the affirmation that the film was going to be produced under the helm of director Koji Shiraishi (The Curse) thrilled hordes of horror movie fans as expected.

In the Japanese film, the cursed tape from The Ring/Ringu is unearthed by college students Yuri and Natsumi. Out of curiosity, they play the video and the image of that creepy long-haired woman all clad in white appears onscreen. A phone call follows, a clear sign that they are now marked to die in two days, which is the curse of the vengeful spirit of Sadako.

Meanwhile, the house haunted by the mother-and-son tandem of Kayako and Toshio in The Grudge/Ju-On opens its doors to unleash more terror. A high school student named Suzuka has recently moved near the infamous residence and has since been having nightmares of being inside it. She soon becomes aware of the murders that took place in the house. What’s worse, the evil forces have their sight on her to be their latest victim. Still, there might be a way to keep the terrified girls alive. An exorcist and a young psychic girl believe that pitting Sadako and Kayako against each other is the solution. To the words of one of the girls in the trailer, “My curse and your curse will fight. It’s the only way to save our lives.” But the two horror icons are out for more blood, and in the epic battle, winner kills all.

Sadako vs Kayako has earned positive reviews. An article in insing.com points out the movie’s unpredictability. The writer wrote, “…nothing is as it seems in Sadako vs Kayako. As the movie simmers on, you’ll realize just how insane the movie is and the lengths writers Takashi Shimizu and Koji Suzuki will go to pull out scares and twists out of their hats.” Viewers will be surprised at “the reach of either spirit’s wrath.” The writer also described it as “one of the best looking Ringu or Ju-On movie made in a while,” and this observation is supported by another movie critic who said, “Sadako vs. Kayako is beautiful to look at production values are very high, with wonderful special effects, camerawork, make-up and costume design, especially when it comes to the two titular horror icons. The acting is also strong all around…”

Distributed by Viva International Pictures and MVP Entertainment, Sadako vs. Kayako is the 12th film in both movie franchises. Showing in Philippine cinemas on July 27, see who will prevail in this never-before-seen monstrous battle.