When the legendary curse from One Missed Call returns in the final chapter set in South Korea, Press to Send Death (着信アリFinal) is a horror film about Asuka, a bullied girl who seeks revenge by forwarding a cursed text to her classmates, but death spares no one.
Plot Summary (No Spoilers)
Asuka Matsuda, a shy girl constantly bullied by her classmates, plans revenge during a school trip to South Korea by forwarding a cursed text she received, following the rule: 'If you don't forward it, you die.' But the curse proves more deadly than she imagined, claiming lives one by one. Death accompanied by phone rings and mysterious texts becomes a nightmare no one can escape.
Acting and Characters
Maki Horikita as Asuka conveys vulnerability and resentment effectively, making the audience feel both pity and fear. Meisa Kuroki as Emily, Asuka's supportive friend, shows courage and care. Jang Keun-suk as An Jin-woo, a young Korean detective, adds charm and excitement. However, some characters are shallow and underdeveloped, making their deaths less impactful.
Direction, Cinematography, and Music
Director Manabu Asô uses South Korean locations to create a different atmosphere from the first two films set in Japan. The cinematography captures beautiful tourist spots while conveying unease and fear. The score retains traditional Japanese horror style, with familiar phone rings becoming death signals. However, some pacing drags, and certain scares lack novelty compared to earlier installments.
Editorial Analysis
Press to Send Death attempts to conclude the One Missed Call saga by blending Korean and Japanese cultures, but falls short as the horror of the first film is largely absent. Its strength lies in reflecting school bullying and revenge leading to disaster, though it remains superficial. Protagonist Asuka, despite some development, lacks charm for viewers to root for. Still, for horror fans wanting closure, the suspense of who survives and the curse's origin may entertain.
Verdict
For fans of the One Missed Call series wanting closure or those who enjoy technology-based curse horror, Press to Send Death may not be the best installment but offers its own entertainment. However, if you seek intense scares, you may be disappointed.
Screenshots
👍 Pros
- +Beautiful and distinct South Korean atmosphere
- +Strong performances by Maki Horikita and Jang Keun-suk
- +Effort to bridge two cultures
👎 Cons
- −Much less scary than the first film
- −Some characters underdeveloped
- −Ending may disappoint fans
Top Cast
FAQ
The film was released in Japan in 2006 and in Thailand around the same year.
It's recommended to watch the first two One Missed Call films to understand the curse's origin, but it can be watched standalone.
It's less scary than the first film but still has Japanese horror atmosphere, especially the phone ring sound.
