The Grudge ***
Cast: Sarah Michelle Gellar, Jason Behr, Clea DuVall, William Mapother, KaDee Strickland, Bill Pullman, Grace Zabriskie
Director: Takashi Shimizu
Running Length: 1:36
MPAA Classification: PG-13

Karen (Gellar), an American exchange student in Japan, is asked to fill in for a caretaker that did not show up for work. Arriving at the house, she begins to take care of the lady that lives there only to find that they might not be the only ones in the house. Footsteps can be heard running around upstairs, a cat can be heard meowing, and something does not seem right. It seems that the house may be haunted. A discovery in the attic sends Karen on an investigation to discover the story behind the mysterious goings on.

This movie was creepier than I anticipated when I saw the PG-13 rating. With no blood or gore, director Takashi Shimizu has crafted a eerie movie that will be scary for most. Shimizu should know what he is doing here though, having directed the Japanese version of "The Grudge" right before starting up on this American version. Sarah Michelle Gellar does nothing remarkable in a role that could have been played by anyone. The biggest surprise for me was Bill Pullman, who at first glance seems to have a very minor part. The "ghosts" are also effective, appearing from nowhere and looking suitably creepy (the actors are also holdovers from the Japanese version).

This is not a great horror movie, but it is a solidly good one. If you are looking for a few scares this Halloween, go and check out "The Grudge".