By Thomas Puhr
High on atmospherics but low on the strong characterizations that marked his previous films, Nicolas Pesce’s The Grudge (2020) proves that not even a young, gifted director can resurrect this stale franchise. While there’s much to admire, including some striking compositions and genuinely upsetting set pieces, the writer-director leans far too heavily on cheap scares copied from previous installments. A convoluted narrative structure of overlapping timeframes prevents any emotional engagement. Perhaps most egregious is the underused supporting cast (John Cho, always excellent, doesn’t get nearly enough screen time). Ultimately, Pesce’s formidable talent behind the camera fails to overcome reboot constraints.
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