Watch Dark Water

Dark Water is a Japanese supernatural horror movie that was released in 2002. The movie is directed by Hideo Nakata, the same filmmaker behind the infamous horror movie "The Ring." The story is based on a short story by Koji Suzuki, who also wrote the novel - that inspired the movie "The Ring." The plot of the movie centers around Yoshimi Matsubara (Hitomi Kuroki), a single mother, who moves to a dilapidated apartment with her six-year-old daughter, Ikuko (Rio Kanno), after the divorce from her husband. She is going through a nasty custody battle with her ex-husband over their daughter Ikuko, and the apartment is the only place where she can afford to live.

Initially, everything seems fine as Yoshimi tries to start a new life with Ikuko, but gradually things start to unravel. Yoshimi begins to notice that there are strange occurrences happening in the apartment. The tap leaks black water, and she starts seeing a little girl in a yellow raincoat, who seems to be following her daughter around. Moreover, she discovers that the apartment above hers is unoccupied, yet she can hear footsteps and the sound of someone dropping a ball on the floor.

As the movie goes on, the supernatural activity in the apartment escalates, and Yoshimi becomes increasingly paranoid and frightened. Moreover, her paranoia is amplified when she starts seeing visions of a girl in a red raincoat, who is revealed to be the previous tenant, who drowned after her parents abandoned her.

Yoshimi's attempts to leave the apartment are thwarted, the haunting never stops, and the situation increasingly spirals out of her control. Her daughter, Ikuko, is also somehow connected to the past events in the apartment, and as the story unfolds, we see how the past is haunting Yoshimi and her daughter.

The movie's tone is dark, atmospheric, and tense, with a pervasive sense of dread that permeates throughout. It's a movie that builds slowly with its supernatural themes, never showing too much but bringing in just enough scares to keep you engaged. The story is also a poignant one, showcasing the difficulties faced by single mothers trying to raise their children in tough conditions. The film is also a commentary on the aftermath of divorce, as Yoshimi struggles to find stability and support amid the adversities of her life.

The performances in the movie are top-notch, especially Hitomi Kuroki, who portrays the lead character, Yoshimi, as a mother trying to protect her daughter while going through a personal crisis. Her relationship with her daughter encompasses both love and hopelessness, as she tries her best to protect her daughter while confronting her own demons.

Rio Kanno, who plays Ikuko, the daughter, is also impressive in her role. She is a young girl who is trying to navigate her way through the haunting events unfolding around her. Her innocence and vulnerability make her character endearing and compelling.

Overall, Dark Water is a gripping horror movie, that showcases an unsettling portrayal of supernatural events that play out in an abandoned apartment. The film's themes of motherhood, social alienation, separation, and loneliness, are woven into the fabric of the film, creating a captivating and harrowing experience. Additionally, the score, the cinematography, and the pacing of the movie are all spot-on, making it a horror movie that will leave you feeling uneasy long after the credits roll.

Dark Water is a 2002 horror movie with a runtime of 1 hour and 41 minutes. It has received mostly positive reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 6.7.