Director: Masayuki Ochiai
Writer: Luke Dawson (Screenplay)
Starring: Joshua Jackson, Rachael Taylor, Megumi Okina, David Denman, John Hensley, Maya Hazen, James Kyson
Plot: 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.
There may be spoilers the rest of the review
Verdict: Snap, Crackle and Scare
Story: Shutter starts by introducing us to the young couple Ben (Jackson) & Jane (Taylor) as they are celebrating their wedding. The couple move to Tokyo for a honeymoon before Ben starts his new job. Travelling one night Jane hits what she thinks is a woman leaving the car a wreck but no remains were found at the scene. Ben’s new job in working as a photographer for a big company with his old friends Bruno (Denman) and Adam (Hensley).
The couple get the biggest apartment in a redeveloping building but after developing the holiday snaps they find a couple of errors in them which turn out to be Spirit Photos. Jane investigates this phenomenon learning about how the spirit photos become clearer to those who believe. We continue to see how Ben starts to get haunted by a ghostly figure. We continue to watch both Ben and Jane get haunted by the ghost girl but why has she picked them? after Jane investigates more we discover that the ghost girl is one of Ben’s ex-girlfriends who he pushed away taking it the wrong way.
Shutter falls into my favorite horror sub-genre of ghost investigation, where the ghost haunts someone to help solve their murder. I do like the added mystery of what really happened in the previous life before the lead couple meet as even with knowing the person you can never know what they did in their past. Where the story lacks is not giving too much information about what really happened until the very end which really doesn’t help the film discover the real shock with the final scene. We get no hints either so it almost changes half way through the film leaving us liking the scares but not caring about what really happens. (5/10)
Actor Review
Joshua Jackson: Ben is the photographer and newlywed who goes to Tokyo with his new wife for a job, it isn’t long before we learn that his past will come back to haunt all those involved. Joshua doesn’t give his best performance but doesn’t give away too much about his real character until we need to know. (6/10)
Rachael Taylor: Jane is the newlywed who joins her husband in Tokyo only to find herself in the middle of problem her husband started with his previous ways. Rachel does a solid job as the investigator role through the film. (6/10)
Megumi Okina: Megumi is the ghost that is haunting Ben, Jane and his friends, happens to be his ex-girlfriend who never took breaking up very well before her death. Now she is out for revenge on all those involved with her death. Megumi does a good job as the creepy ghost figure haunting. (7/10)
Support Cast: Shutter has a supporting cast that includes the other people who were involved in the real crime. They make the film have a few more victims but nothing else really.
Director Review: Masayuki Ochiai – Masayuki does a solid job directing this horror film as we do get some very good scares throughout. (7/10)
Horror: Shutter has some good scares even if they do come off slightly predictable. (7/10)
Mystery: Shutter does give us a mystery but doesn’t give us enough hints about what it really is before giving us the full story. (5/10)
Thriller: Shutter does pull you in but doesn’t make you feel like the edge of your seat. (5/10)
Settings: Shutter gives us a selection of traditional Tokyo location which includes showing the classic traditional side of Japanese culture with the new modern era. (7/10)
Special Effects: Shutter does use some good special effects to do with the ghost involvement. (7/10)
Suggestion: Shutter is one for the horror fans to enjoy but it would be fair to say a lot of fans will be disappointed with the final outcome. (Horror Fans Try)
Best Part: I like the final twist.
Worst Part: Unoriginal scares.
Scariest Scene: Bedroom scene.
Believability: No (0/10)
Chances of Tears: No (0/10)
Chances of Sequel: No
Post Credits Scene: No
Similar Too: Dark Water, The Grudge
Oscar Chances: No
Box Office: $48 Million
Runtime: 1 Hour 25 Minutes
Tagline: The most terrifying images are the ones that are real.
Overall: Shutter gives solid scares but not really horror even with its final killer twist.
Rating 
