Premonition

Premonition is a 2004 Japanese horror film directed by Norio Tsuruta. It starts with a terrifying moment. Professor Hideki Satomi finds an old newspaper clipping in a phone booth showing his daughter’s obituary. Minutes later, a truck crashes into his car and kills her exactly as the paper described. Three years pass and he’s now divorced from his wife Ayaka, who’s been researching these cursed newspapers that predict deaths.

The movie takes its time building atmosphere instead of relying on jump scares. The idea of a newspaper foretelling death is genuinely creepy. Hideki and Ayaka discover others who’ve seen similar papers. They learn about people who could see the future but couldn’t change it, or paid a terrible price when they tried. As Hideki tries to save Ayaka from her predicted death, he risks trapping himself somewhere between life and hell.

The film’s strength is its eerie tone and emotional weight. The opening scene hits hard and sets up a story about loss and obsession. Director Tsuruta knows how to build tension quietly with dark visuals and a haunting score. There’s no gore or constant shocks, just slow burning dread that gets under your skin.

But the movie has problems too. The middle section drags badly. Too many scenes of the couple visiting places and gathering information that goes nowhere. The special effects look dated and sometimes silly. The acting can be over the top, especially Hiroshi Mikami’s exaggerated expressions of fear and grief. Some emotional moments just don’t land right.

The second half gets better though. The shifting timelines and alternate realities create an unsettling, dreamlike feel. The ending is a bit predictable but ties everything together in a sad, fitting way. Premonition isn’t as iconic as Ringu or Ju-on, but it’s still worth watching. It’s slow and flawed, but also thoughtful and atmospheric. If you like subtle horror about fate and guilt, give it a try.