Directed by
Hideo Nakata
Made by
DreamWorks Distribution
A nervous teenage boy attempts to get his date to watch a supposedly “scary” video. After a friend calls to check in, it has been seven days since the screening, and water begins to seep into the room. To his horror, he finds his date with her eyes covered, only to witness the chilling moment when Samara crawls out of the TV, causing both teens, played by Kelly Stables and Daveigh Chase, to scream in terror.
Meanwhile, newspaper reporter Rachel Keller and her son Aidan (David Dorfman) have relocated to a small town in Astoria, Oregon, hoping to escape the haunting events that still linger from their past in Seattle. Rachel has taken a job with the local publication, The Astoria Gazette, when she hears on the police scanner about a young teenager’s mysterious death.
Upon arriving at the crime scene, Rachel soon realizes that the malevolent force of Samara Morgan has resurfaced, initiating a new wave of terror in Astoria. In a desperate attempt to break the cycle of violence, she sneaks into the home of the deceased teenager, retrieves the cursed VHS tape, and destroys it. However, Aidan experiences a vivid dream where he is sucked into the horrific video, and Samara attacks him as a consequence of Rachel’s actions.
On their day out at a funfair, Aidan captures unsettling photographs of Samara reflected in a nearby mirror. Their day takes a darker turn when they encounter an unexpected herd of deer on the road. As Aidan’s health begins to deteriorate, Rachel rushes him to her office. She seeks assistance from Max, a local reporter, and prepares a hot bath to help stabilize Aidan’s body temperature. However, when Rachel steps out to gather supplies, she returns to find the bathroom door locked and water flooding out. Breaking in, she finds Aidan trapped in a reverse whirlpool. In a frantic moment, Rachel manages to disrupt the vortex, only for Max to whisk Aidan away to the hospital.
At the hospital, Aidan displays alarming signs of physical distress with bruises on his body, prompting Dr. Emma Temple (played by Elizabeth Perkins) to suspect Rachel of abuse. Despite Aidan’s cries for his “mommy,” he remains under the care of the hospital staff. In a shocking turn of events, he forces Dr. Temple into giving herself an air embolism, declaring, “it won’t stop.”
Determined to save her son from the clutches of Samara, Rachel makes her way back to Seattle, where the truth about Samara’s dark origins awaits. Understanding that Samara had been adopted, she sets out to locate her biological mother, Evelyn, who resides in a mental health facility. Evelyn reveals the torment of her past, discussing the difficulties she faced during pregnancy and telling Rachel the horrific truth: the only way to save Aidan is by drowning him.
Meanwhile, Aidan escapes the hospital and returns home alone. Rachel grows suspicious when he begins referring to her as “mommy,” and after discovering that Max has mysteriously vanished and is found dead in his car, her fears intensify. Aidan’s behavior continues to worsen as he remains glued to the TV, barely sleeping and communicating with Rachel through dreams.
In a chilling revelation, Aidan informs Rachel that to rid him of Samara’s spirit, he must be drowned. With a heavy heart, Rachel sedates Aidan, preparing him for the inevitable drowning that she believes is the only way to save him. In a desperate struggle to find her son amid the terror, she starts to submerge him in the water. Although he protests, she pushes forward, realizing that Samara is the true entity they are fighting against.
As Aidan’s life hangs in the balance, Samara’s spirit rises from him, but Rachel’s love compels her to revive her son. In a tense moment, she sees Samara on the TV, realizing that all Samara desires is maternal love. In a selfless act, Rachel sacrifices herself, getting pulled into the TV and dragged down to the well where Samara originally perished.
While struggling in the well, Rachel fights to climb out as Samara desperately grips at her, but in a powerful moment, Rachel manages to escape, closing the heavy stone lid over the well. Lost in a foggy forest and guided by Aidan’s voice, she arrives at the cliff where Samara’s adoptive mother took her life. In a poignant moment of reckoning, Rachel leaps from the cliff, the screen fading to black. She awakens on the living room floor, close to Aidan, promising him that their haunted past has finally concluded while asking him to refer to her as Rachel “at least for a while.”
Teenage Boy's Nervous Date
A nervous teenage boy tries to impress his date by convincing her to watch a supposedly 'scary' videotape. Their evening takes a terrifying turn when he checks his phone, only to notice the chilling events that have unfolded since they watched the tape a week prior.
Haunting Incident
After seven days, water begins to seep into the boy's room, signaling a supernatural event. The horror escalates when the boy finds his date with her eyes covered, only to witness the horrifying moment when Samara crawls out of the television.
Rachel and Aidan's Move
Rachel Keller and her son Aidan relocate to Astoria, Oregon, hoping to escape the dark memories from Seattle. Rachel takes a job at The Astoria Gazette, seeking a fresh start for her and Aidan.
Mysterious Death
While settling into their new life, Rachel hears about a teenager's mysterious death via the police scanner. This event initiates a new wave of fear linked to the malevolent force Samara.
Discovery of the VHS Tape
Driven by the urge to protect her son, Rachel sneaks into the home of the deceased teenager and retrieves the cursed videotape. Despite her efforts to destroy it, she unknowingly triggers a deadly connection between Samara and Aidan.
Aidan's Vivid Dream
Aidan experiences a terrifying dream where he becomes immersed in the cursed video. This nightmarish encounter reveals the grim realities of Samara's power and her presence within their lives.
Unsettling Funfair Outing
During a day out at the funfair, Aidan captures eerie photographs reflecting Samara in a mirror. The outing takes a grim turn when they encounter a herd of deer, intensifying the growing tension surrounding them.
Aidan's Deteriorating Health
As Aidan falls ill, Rachel rushes him to her office in an attempt to help him recover. She prepares a hot bath to stabilize his temperature, only to find Aidan trapped in a reverse whirlpool when she returns.
Hospital Distress
In the hospital, Aidan shows alarming signs of distress, leading Dr. Emma Temple to suspect abuse. Despite his pleas for Rachel, hospital staff remain concerned about his well-being.
Raiding Samara's Past
In a desperate bid to save Aidan, Rachel returns to Seattle to uncover Samara's dark origins. She learns about Samara's troubled adoption and realizes that the only way to save Aidan is through drowning.
Aidan's Disturbing Behavior
After escaping the hospital, Aidan's behavior becomes increasingly unsettling, as he starts to refer to Rachel as 'mommy.' Rachel's concerns deepen when she discovers that Max has gone missing and is later found dead.
Drowning Revelation
Aidan confides in Rachel that drowning him is the only way to rid him of Samara's spirit. Rachel, conflicted but desperate, prepares to sedate Aidan for the act she believes is the last hope for his survival.
Confrontation with Samara
In a tense moment, Rachel attempts to submerge Aidan, realizing they are truly battling the spirit of Samara. As Samara's entity emerges, Rachel fights against the odds to save her son.
Sacrifice for Love
In the ultimate act of maternal love, Rachel sacrifices herself to pull Samara back down into the depths of the well. This choice embodies her struggle against Samara's dark influence over their lives.
End of the Haunting
Emerging from a foggy forest, Rachel faces a moment of reckoning at the cliff where Samara's adoptive mother took her life. She leaps from the cliff, symbolizing the end of their haunted past and awakening on the living room floor with Aidan.
Rachel Keller (Naomi Watts)
Rachel Keller is a determined and resilient newspaper reporter who is driven to protect her son Aidan at all costs. Despite her past experiences with supernatural terror, she demonstrates immense strength and courage, fighting against the malevolent force of Samara. Her journey is marked by self-discovery and personal sacrifice, revealing her profound love for her child.
Aidan Keller (David Dorfman)
Aidan is Rachel's sensitive and perceptive son, who becomes increasingly troubled by the haunting presence of Samara. His character is both innocent and burdened, reflecting the emotional toll the supernatural events take on him. Aidan's connection to Samara illustrates the psychological impact of fear on children, showcasing his struggle between seeking safety and facing his fears.
Max (Simon Baker)
Max is a local journalist who assists Rachel in uncovering the mysteries surrounding the deaths linked to Samara. His character serves as a source of support in the face of horror, showcasing both bravery and empathy. However, as events unfold, he becomes a victim of the terror, highlighting the pervasive reach of Samara's curse.
Evelyn (Sissy Spacek)
Evelyn is Samara's biological mother, whose tragic past holds the key to understanding Samara's dark origins. Her character is multi-faceted, reflecting the anguish of a mother entangled in her child's malevolence. Evelyn's revelations to Rachel underscore the theme of maternal love, even when faced with unimaginable horror.
Time period
The events of The Ring Two occur in contemporary times, reflecting societal issues of the early 2000s, such as the rise of digital media and the impact of urban legends. This time period is marked by a growing fascination with horror films and stories that explore the depths of fear and human resilience.
Location
Astoria, Oregon, Seattle
Astoria, Oregon, is a small coastal town known for its rich history and proximity to the Pacific Ocean. It features Victorian architecture and is surrounded by lush forests, making it a serene escape from urban life. Seattle, on the other hand, is a bustling city recognized for its iconic Space Needle and vibrant culture, but also serves as the haunting backdrop to Rachel's harrowing past.
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Maternal Sacrifice
The theme of maternal sacrifice is central to the movie, as Rachel is willing to do anything to save her son Aidan from Samara's wrath. Her journey reveals the lengths a mother will go for her child's safety, culminating in her ultimate decision to drown him, believing it will break the cycle of violence. This theme also explores the deep connection between a mother and child, even amidst chaos.
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Supernatural Terror
Supernatural terror is a prevalent theme in The Ring Two, showcasing the haunting presence of Samara. The film delves into the psychological horror of being tormented by an unseen entity, with Rachel's struggle against Samara symbolizing the battle against one's fears. It emphasizes the impact of past traumas on present lives, as the specter of Samara looms over their new beginning.
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Cycles of Violence
The cycles of violence theme is heavily portrayed through the continuation of Samara's curse. Rachel's attempts to end the terror only serve to perpetuate it, illustrating how trauma can resonate through generations. The narrative questions whether one can truly escape the past or if it will forever haunt them, as Rachel and Aidan find themselves deeply entangled in Samara's dark legacy.
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