It lacks the simplicity of the original film, but Ringu 2 nevertheless successfully recreates its eerie atmosphere. It's one of two mutually exclusive sequels to Ringu, actually, the other being Rasen ("Spiral"). This is arguably the more authoritative sequel, having the same director as the original, Hideo Nakata.

Though the original was always more about creating an atmosphere of horror than laying down the rules of the game, Ringu 2's weakness is that plays too fast and loose with what is and is not possible, what will and will not stop the onslaught of evil. Nevertheless, it does deliver what it sets out to deliver: ice cold macabre shivers worthy of the original.