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Shutter
2008 85 min United States of America PG-13 18+
★4.8
Horror, Mystery, Thriller
Director: Masayuki Ochiai
Trailers
Description
A newly married couple discovers disturbing, ghostly images in photographs they develop after a tragic accident. Fearing the manifestations may be connected, they investigate and learn that some mysteries are better left unsolved.
US Gross:
$25.93M
Starring
Joshua Jackson
Actor
Rachael Taylor
Actor
James Kyson
Actor
Key opinion
The 2008 remake of Shutter is generally viewed as an unremarkable and clichéd entry in the wave of Western adaptations of Asian horror cinema. While some appreciate its brisk pace and occasional atmospheric scare, most critics and audiences find it inferior to the original, suffering from thin character development and a lack of genuine tension.
| Originality | The film relies heavily on tired genre tropes, specifically the overused image of the vengeful pale girl ghost and standard supernatural photography motifs. | |
| Runtime | The runtime is efficiently managed, with the roughly 80-minute duration preventing the thin plot from overstaying its welcome. | |
| Acting | Performances from the lead actors are generally described as adequate or mediocre, failing to elevate the material or provide necessary emotional resonance. | |
| Pacing | The film's pacing is a subject of debate; some viewers appreciate its brisk, straightforward progression, while others find the narrative development inconsistent and unengaging. | |
| Screenplay | Opinions on the screenplay are divided: some find the central mystery and the integration of spirit photography intriguing, while others criticize the dialogue as empty and the character motivations as illogical. |