‘The Curse’ Mixes Viral Horror With Classic J-Horror Influences

The Curse follows a Tokyo receptionist’s search for the truth behind a friend’s apparent suicide, but what begins as an online investigation soon leads into a web of supernatural horror stretching from Japan to Taiwan. Following acclaimed festival screenings, the Japanese-Taiwanese co-production is now set for a UK digital release on 13 July.

Directed and written by Kenichi Ugana, the film draws inspiration from the wave of influential Japanese horror cinema that produced classics such as Ringu and Ju-on, while updating familiar genre themes through the lens of social media culture, internet celebrity and viral content.

The story centres on Riko, a 25-year-old receptionist living in Tokyo with her friend Airi. Concerned by increasingly cryptic social media posts from her Taiwanese friend Shufen, Riko attempts to make contact, only to discover that Shufen died six months earlier. Stranger still, Shufen’s social media accounts continue to publish disturbing new messages. As unexplained events begin to affect those around her, including a tragic death close to home, Riko travels to Taiwan alongside her former boyfriend Jiahao and Shufen’s sister Huijun in search of answers.

The film had its world premiere at Fantastic Fest 2025, where it picked up the festival’s Best Kill award, before making its UK debut at FrightFest Glasgow. Its journey through the festival circuit has helped introduce international audiences to Ugana’s latest genre offering ahead of its wider release.

Leading the cast are Yukino Kaizu, Yumimi Shao and Shihori Kanjiya, with the production bringing together talent from both Japan and Taiwan. The cross-cultural collaboration extends behind the camera, with producers and creative personnel from both countries contributing to the project.

For Ugana, The Curse continues a prolific filmmaking career that has seen him move between horror, comedy, science fiction and drama. His previous works include Wild Virgins, Rolling Marbles, Love Will Tear Us Apart, We Are Aliens and The Gesuidouz. His short film projects have also become regular fixtures on the international festival circuit, screening at events including Fantasporto, Slamdance and Bucheon International Fantastic Film Festival.

The Curse arrives on digital platforms in the UK on 13 July 2026 following its festival run, which included Fantastic Fest and FrightFest Glasgow.

The Curse trailer