1998
High school student Tomoko dies mysteriously after watching a cursed videotape, prompting reporter Asakawa Reiko to investigate the urban legend. Asakawa finds and watches the tape herself, receiving a phone call that confirms the curse: she has one week to live unless she can break it. With the help of her ex-husband, Takayama Ryuji, who possesses psychic abilities, Asakawa uncovers the tape's origin, tracing it to a girl named Yamamura Sadako, who had powerful psychic abilities and was murdered and thrown into a well. Asakawa and Ryuji locate the well where Sadako's body was hidden beneath a rental cottage and retrieve her remains, believing they have appeased her spirit and broken the curse.
Save the Cat beat sheet
Journalist Asakawa investigates a cursed videotape that kills viewers in one week.
Open full beat sheetAsakawa Reiko is listed as Reporter. A female reporter in her mid-twenties, mother of Yoichi. In the parsed data, Asakawa Reiko is connected to 50 scenes, 58 dialogue lines, 58 text mentions, first appearing around scene 16.
50 scenes / 58 dialogue linesTakayama Ryuji is listed as University Professor. Asakawa's ex-husband, possesses psychic abilities. In the parsed data, Takayama Ryuji is connected to 35 scenes, 84 dialogue lines, 84 text mentions, first appearing around scene 16.
35 scenes / 84 dialogue linesAsakawa Yoichi is listed as Child. Asakawa's 7-year-old son. In the parsed data, Asakawa Yoichi is connected to 10 scenes, 8 dialogue lines, 8 text mentions, first appearing around scene 6.
10 scenes / 8 dialogue linesOuishi Tomoko is listed as High school student. The first victim of the cursed video. In the parsed data, Ouishi Tomoko is connected to 8 scenes, 9 dialogue lines, 9 text mentions, first appearing around scene 1.
8 scenes / 9 dialogue linesYamamura Shizuko is listed as Mother of Sadako. A woman with clairvoyant abilities who committed suicide. In the parsed data, Yamamura Shizuko is connected to 5 scenes, 15 dialogue lines, 18 text mentions, first appearing around scene 37.
5 scenes / 15 dialogue linesOkazaki is listed as Intern. Works at the news station. In the parsed data, Okazaki is connected to 5 scenes, 3 dialogue lines, 3 text mentions, first appearing around scene 20.
5 scenes / 3 dialogue linesKouichi is listed as Grandfather. Yoichi's grandfather. In the parsed data, Kouichi is connected to 4 scenes, 8 dialogue lines, 8 text mentions, first appearing around scene 29.
4 scenes / 8 dialogue linesKomiya is listed as Cameraman. Asakawa's colleague. In the parsed data, Komiya is connected to 4 scenes, 1 dialogue line, 1 text mention, first appearing around scene 43.
4 scenes / 1 dialogue linesYamamura Sadako is listed as Antagonist. The vengeful spirit of a girl with psychic powers. In the parsed data, Yamamura Sadako is connected to 3 scenes, 9 dialogue lines, 9 text mentions, first appearing around scene 39.
3 scenes / 9 dialogue linesIkuma Heihachiro is listed as Scholar. Sadako's father. In the parsed data, Ikuma Heihachiro is connected to 3 scenes, 2 dialogue lines, 3 text mentions, first appearing around scene 46.
3 scenes / 2 dialogue linesTakano Mai is listed as Student. Ryuji's student. In the parsed data, Takano Mai is connected to 2 scenes, 4 dialogue lines, 5 text mentions, first appearing around scene 24.
2 scenes / 4 dialogue linesMasami is listed as High school student. Tomoko's friend. In the parsed data, Masami is connected to 2 scenes, 2 dialogue lines, 2 text mentions, first appearing around scene 1.
2 scenes / 2 dialogue linesMasami tells Tomoko a rumor about a cursed videotape that kills the viewer in one week. Tomoko reveals she watched a strange video with friends a week ago.
Ouishi Tomoko, MasamiMasami and Tomoko answer the phone, relieved to find it is just Tomoko's parents calling to say they will be late.
Ouishi Tomoko, MasamiTomoko finds the TV on by itself and turns it off, then returns to the kitchen where she experiences a terrifying presence.
Ouishi TomokoAsakawa interviews high school students about the cursed video rumor.
Asakawa Reiko, KomiyaAsakawa discusses the rumor with Komiya and asks Okazaki to research a recent death.
Asakawa Reiko, Komiya, OkazakiAsakawa prepares to attend Tomoko's wake with her son Yoichi.
Asakawa Reiko, Asakawa YoichiAsakawa attends the wake and notices Yoichi acting strangely near the altar.
Asakawa Reiko, Asakawa Yoichi, KouichiAsakawa finds Yoichi in Tomoko's room, and later receives a call from Okazaki confirming the victim's school.
Asakawa Reiko, Asakawa Yoichi, OkazakiAsakawa and Yoshino review footage of the Yokohama car death.
Asakawa ReikoAsakawa visits her sister Ryomi and finds a receipt in Tomoko's room.
Asakawa ReikoYoichi mentions the cursed video to Asakawa, who reacts with alarm.
Asakawa Reiko, Asakawa YoichiAsakawa visits the Izu Pacific Land cottages and finds the unmarked videotape.
Asakawa ReikoAsakawa watches the cursed videotape and receives a phone call.
Asakawa ReikoAsakawa meets with Ryuji to discuss the video.
Asakawa Reiko, Takayama RyujiRyuji arrives at Asakawa's apartment.
Takayama Ryuji, Asakawa ReikoRyuji and Asakawa discuss the cursed videotape.
Takayama Ryuji, Asakawa ReikoAsakawa waits while Ryuji finishes watching the tape.
Asakawa Reiko, Takayama RyujiThey plan their next steps.
Takayama Ryuji, Asakawa ReikoAsakawa works at the station.
OkazakiAsakawa reviews the tape and receives a file.
Asakawa Reiko, OkazakiRyuji experiences a supernatural encounter.
Takayama RyujiAsakawa meets Ryuji.
Takayama Ryuji, Asakawa ReikoThey enter Ryuji's apartment.
Takayama Ryuji, Asakawa ReikoThey analyze the tape and meet Mai.
Takayama Ryuji, Asakawa Reiko, Takano MaiThey identify a hidden message on the tape.
Asakawa Reiko, Takayama RyujiYoichi leaves for school.
Asakawa YoichiAsakawa receives a call from Ryuji.
Asakawa Reiko, Takayama RyujiThey research old newspaper archives.
Takayama Ryuji, Asakawa ReikoAsakawa and Yoichi arrive at Kouichi's house.
Kouichi, Asakawa Yoichi, Asakawa ReikoYoichi and Kouichi go fishing.
Asakawa Reiko, Kouichi, Asakawa YoichiAsakawa puts Yoichi to bed.
Asakawa Reiko, Asakawa YoichiAsakawa talks to Ryuji.
Asakawa Reiko, Takayama Ryuji, KouichiAsakawa discovers Yoichi watching the tape.
Asakawa Reiko, Asakawa YoichiAsakawa and Ryuji travel to Oshima.
Asakawa Reiko, Takayama RyujiThey arrive at Oshima.
Takayama Ryuji, Asakawa ReikoThey discuss Shizuko's history.
Takayama Ryuji, Asakawa ReikoThey arrive at the inn.
Asakawa Reiko, Takayama RyujiThey are led to their rooms.
Asakawa Reiko, Takayama RyujiRyuji finds the mirror from the video.
Takayama Ryuji, Asakawa ReikoThey discuss the curse and receive a photo.
Asakawa Reiko, Takayama RyujiRyuji confronts Mr. Yamamura.
Takayama Ryuji, Asakawa ReikoThey discuss the situation as a typhoon approaches.
Asakawa Reiko, Takayama RyujiRyuji and Asakawa discuss the curse; Ryuji insists on searching for Sadako's body despite the typhoon.
Asakawa Reiko, Takayama Ryuji, KomiyaThe sea is rough.
Asakawa receives a call from Okazaki and realizes the curse is still active.
Asakawa Reiko, OkazakiAsakawa meets Ryuji and Hayatsu; Mr. Yamamura offers to take them out to sea.
Asakawa Reiko, Takayama Ryuji, Komiya, Ikuma HeihachiroThe boat is tossed by waves.
Ikuma HeihachiroRyuji and Asakawa discuss Sadako's origin.
Asakawa Reiko, Takayama RyujiRyuji talks to Mr. Yamamura about Shizuko.
Takayama Ryuji, Ikuma HeihachiroRyuji buys supplies while Asakawa calls Yoichi.
Asakawa Reiko, Takayama Ryuji, Asakawa YoichiRyuji and Asakawa drive to the rental cabins.
Asakawa Reiko, Takayama RyujiThey arrive at the rental cabins.
Asakawa Reiko, Takayama RyujiThey find the well and experience a vision of Sadako's death.
Asakawa Reiko, Takayama RyujiRyuji descends into the well to search for the body.
Asakawa Reiko, Takayama RyujiAsakawa descends into the well and finds Sadako's remains.
Asakawa Reiko, Takayama RyujiPolice arrive; Ryuji and Asakawa sit on the curb.
Asakawa Reiko, Takayama RyujiRyuji drops Asakawa off.
Asakawa Reiko, Takayama RyujiRyuji is killed by Sadako.
Takayama Ryuji, Yamamura SadakoAsakawa arrives to find Ryuji dead.
Asakawa Reiko, Takano MaiAsakawa realizes she must copy the tape to survive.
Asakawa ReikoThis Professor Ikuma convinces Shizuko to go to Tokyo with him, where he uses her in a series of demonstrations meant to prove the existence of ESP. At first she's the darling of the press, but the next thing you know they're knocking her down, calling her a fraud. Hmph. Forty years later, the media still hasn't changed that much.
Back in the old days, the Yamamuras used to head fishing boats out in Sashikiji, though they don't much anymore. You know, one of Shizuko's cousins is still alive. He's just an old man now. His son and his daughter-in-law run an old-fashioned inn. I went ahead and booked reservations for y'all, hope that's alright...
That's right. After Yamamura Shizuko committed suicide, Professor Ikuma took the daughter and ran. No, no one knows where they went. That's why I need -you- to find out where they are. Even if the professor's dead, Sadako should still be in her forties. I'll explain it all later, but right now just hurry!
Shizuko was... different. She'd come out here by herself ever'day an' just stare out at the ocean. The fishermen all took a dislikin' to her. Ocean's an unlucky place for us, y'see: every year it swallows up more of our own. You keep starin' out at somethin' ike that...
Shizuko... she used to -speak- to the ocean, just ramble away. One time I hid, listenin' to one of her conversations. And it weren't in no human language.
I said stop it! Have you forgotten There was a girl with Tomoko when she died? That girl's now in a mental institution. Who knows what could happen.
After getting kicked out of university, Ikuma just vanished, and no one's been able to get hold of him since. He's probably not even alive anymore.
I've got a little of that ability myself. It was you who spread the word about Shizuko, wasn't it? And you who first contacted Professor Ikuma?
SlugDB turns parsed screenplays into scene, character, dialogue, trivia, semantic search, Save the Cat, and API-ready analysis.
Use SlugDB when you need screenplay API data, movie dialogue search, character evidence, scene context, or MCP tools without building a scraper first.