The RingAnalysis

InformationReleased: 2002Starring: Naomi Watts, Martin HendersonDirected by: Gore VerbinskiWritten by: Ehren Kruger (screenplay), Kôji Suzuki (novel)Rating: 7.1/10Sequel: The Ring Two (2005)Genre: Horror/thriller/mystery

PlotRachel Keller is a journalist investigating a videotape that may have killed four teenagers (including her niece). There is an urban legend about this tape: the viewer will die seven days after watching it. If the legend is correct, Rachel will have to run against time to save her son's and her own life.

Thriller aspects There are constant close ups, especially that of the eyes, which make the viewer feel uneasy as they feel they are directly being looked atThe close ups are also a key tool in expressing the fear in the charactersThe twist ending *SPOILER* means that the viewer initially feels more secure as it will have a happier ending, but then when they find out that will “will never stop” They again feel directly endangeredThe audience are also shown the whole video, which puts them at the risk of the little girl, so they leave the film still feeling apprehensiveThe shift in time, also makes the film seem more creepy as it goes back a few years to the girl being in a mental institute, which is a very effective thriller location (as well as the various other secluded locations used)There is also the love twist, as the couple we have been following is set to get back together (something the viewer now wants) until it is broken by the death of the male protagonist, as the cycle continues.

Clip analysis

Some screen grabs or particularly

relevant shots to the points made

earlier

Clip analysis The clip uses all of the typical thriller elements such as extreme close ups etc. This clip is particularly effective as it makes the viewer themselves feel endangered which makes them personally want to find the resolve in the film. As when the premise of the film is explained they do not feel as in danger as they do once they too have watched the dreaded video, therefore are expecting the same consequences as the characters in the film.This ensures they stay engaged and feel the same emotions as that as the characters on the screen.On the technical side of the clip, the jumpiness of the film again creates suspense as does the sound of the static. This is complimented with the ringing of the phone, which is very sharp and pulls the viewer back into the film. The lighting is very dull, so the main glare is that from the TV. The video shown is of poor quality so therefore makes it more eerie.

Poster analysisThe children’s

writing makes it seem more

mysterious and creepy

The white ring stands out

against the black so it is eye

catching

The lines across the poster indicate the static lines that come across the TV screen

The quote “before you die you see” makes the viewer curios as to what you will see and why you would die?