Gore Verbinski's The Ring is a moody, atmospheric experience that could be enshrined as one of the best American horror films of its decade. It could be, but it probably won't be because the film ruins itself with a tacked on epilogue that ruins both the story and our affection for the main characters. For most of the film we watch as journalist Rachel Embry tries to unravel the mystery behind a weird tape that kills anyone who watches it. We like Rachel and we identify with her struggle when she discovers that her young son has accidentally watched the tape (an early scene where she nonchalantly shoos away her boss when he tries to fire her is particularly endearing). The secret surrounding the tape, its killing power, and the little girl who may or may not have created it are extremely compelling and chilling. The vast majority of the film is played like a mystery thriller with horror overtones. It actually reminded me of the scenes where John Ferguson first investigates Madeleine in Alfred Hitchcock's Vertigo (1958). But the last few scenes are so out of place that they hurt to watch. Suddenly the lore surrounding the tape is re-written just because and Rachel becomes a heartless murderer. I can't get over how badly this ending betrays the spirit and nature of the rest of the film. I'm still going to give this film a great score because most of its run-time deserves such accolades. If it wasn't for that ending, though...imagine how much higher it could, no, how much higher it should have been.
8/10
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