Japanese horror films are known for being incredibly disturbing and leaving audiences unsettled. Maybe it's the gripping plots or the compelling acting, or maybe it's because these movies are based on killers that many have already heard of. Films like Ju-On, Ringu, and A Slit-Mouthed Woman contain background information based on popular stories from long ago, which makes the films even more terrifying. While many horror films lack inspiration, Japanese horror films often draw influence from urban legends. Furthermore, these legends commonly focus on women as the central antagonist characters. Initially, Ju-On begins with the story of Rika, a social worker who enters a home to help an elderly disabled lady. However, upon entering the house, Rika soon discovers that there are more problems in the house than abandonment. After cleaning the woman, Rika begins cleaning the rest of the house. Upon entering a bedroom he notices that the closet door is taped shut and discovers a little boy and his cat hiding in there. Rika calls her boss to report the child, but immediately afterwards the old woman starts talking nonsense. Seeing a shadow creeping over the old woman, Rika faints and the woman is killed. Viewers are then transported back in time a bit, as the film begins to focus on Kazumi, his wife, Katsuya, and his mother, Sachie, who viewers learn was also the old lady from the short film Rika. After working late, Kazumi returns home to find his wife lying on a bed upstairs with her mouth open; he is in shock. He panics and tries to call an ambulance, but before he has a chance, he sees the little boy Rika brought out into the open, whose name we learn is Toshio. Kazumi cowers against a wall until a presence seems to take over... in the center of the paper... A woman contains information that makes the films even more threatening. After studying the topic of Japanese horror films, it is clear that most draw inspiration from urban legends. Furthermore, these legends regularly focus on women as the dominant antagonist character. Works Cited Ellison, Thomas. "Slashers and urban legends: the woman with the cut mouth." Retro Slashers.WordPress, January 13, 2011. Web. April 19, 2014.Meyer, Matteo. "Onryo." MatthewMeyer.net. WordPress, October 30, 2009. Web. April 19, 2014. Ozawa, Eimi. ""Remaking corporeality and spatiality: US adaptations of Japanese horror films"." 49th parallel. Special Edition of the Conference. Fall 2006 (19): 1-7. An Interdisciplinary Journal of North American Studies. Network. April 18, 2014.Schroeder, Alexandra. "Kuroneko, Ringu and Ju-On: The Grudge." Academia.edu. Academia.edu, April 20, 2014. Web. April 21. 2014.