The plot of Shutter revolves around Ben Shaw (Joshua Jackson), a recently married photographer, and his wife Jane (Rachael Taylor), who have just relocated to Japan for Ben’s new job. While on their honeymoon, they hit a woman with their car and flee the scene after they realize that the woman was already dead. Soon after the incident, Jane begins to see ghostly images in the photographs that Ben develops.
As the story unfolds, we learn that the woman they hit was Megumi Tanaka, a young student who had committed suicide after being humiliated and ostracized by her classmates. Megumi’s ghost returns to haunt Ben and Jane, seeking revenge for her death. As they dig deeper into the mystery surrounding Megumi’s death, Ben and Jane uncover a darker side of Japan’s culture.
The film’s use of photography as a narrative device is particularly effective. As a photographer, Ben’s profession plays a central role in the story, and the images he captures become a haunting reminder of the ghostly presence that is haunting them. This allows the film to explore the relationship between image and reality, and the power that photography has to capture and preserve moments in time.
In addition to its effective use of imagery, Shutter is also successful in building a sense of suspense and tension throughout the film. The pacing is well-managed, and the scares are well-timed and impactful. One particularly memorable scene involves Jane discovering a secret room in their apartment, which is filled with photographs of Megumi that seem to have been taken by her ghost.
A major criticism of the film is the casting of Joshua Jackson as Ben. Jackson’s performance is solid, but he doesn’t quite capture the intensity and emotional range that the role requires. Rachael Taylor’s performance as Jane is also somewhat lacking, although she does improve as the film progresses.
Overall, Shutter is an entertaining horror film with some effective scares and a compelling narrative. While it does have its flaws, the film is well-executed and succeeds in creating a sense of dread and unease. It’s a film that will leave you questioning the reality of what you see and the images you capture on film.