Review: ‘The Grudge’ Takes a Different Reboot Approach, Not Necessarily for the Better

“The Grudge” takes a slightly different approach to the reboot than many movies have in the past, but it’s not necessarily for the better. 

The film is a soft reboot of the 2004 horror hit of the same name. The new movie is centered on Detective Muldoon, who investigates a murder that ends up being connected to a case that her new partner handled in the past. From there, the movie travels back in time to chronicle this murder’s origin—a cursed house. “The Grudge” focuses on three different stories—a couple living in the house, a husband and wife real estate team trying to sell the house, and a medium of sorts attempting to help one of the house’s inhabitants transition from this life to the next.

The 2020 reboot of “The Grudge” follows the same non-linear storyline as its predecessor. It worked for the 2004 film, as the movie was successful enough to receive a sequel. But as for the 2020 movie, the vignettes were not well executed enough to really feel ingrained in the individual stories. Audiences weren’t able to spend enough time with each character to really feel the impact of the terror brought upon them by the curse.

It’s a shame, because between Andrea Risenborough, John Cho, and Betty Gilpin, “The Grudge” has a pretty strong cast. Unfortunately, audiences don’t get to spend nearly as much time with these three as they deserve. One cast member does get the chance to deliver a wildly unhinged performance though—Lin Shayne. She plays one of the inhabitants of the house, clearly driven to madness by the curse. Her performance is completely unpredictable, delivering the most fun moments of the film. 

‘The Grudge’ is by no means an outstanding movie, but it’s worth a rental during a night in.”

Overall, the scares in the film are just so-so. The movie’s jump scares are completely predictable. Although it’s a nice homage to its predecessor, one moment completely imitates what is perhaps the creepiest moment of the 2004 film. But in a film that swings and misses with the majority of its jump scares, one moment near the end will leave audiences attempting to pick their jaws up from the floor.

There are a few moments of psychological terror that are truly terrifying. A number of moments in the cursed 44 Reyburn Drive are downright chilling. But there are not enough of these moments to elevate the movie from a mediocre one to a great one. “The Grudge” is by no means an outstanding movie, but it’s worth a rental during a night in.