Some may recall the early 2000's J-horror boom that saw the likes of “Ringu” and “Ju-On” gaining popularity in the west. “Apartment 1303” was released close to the end of this trend.
Sayaka Midorikawa mysteriously plummets off the balcony of her new apartment. When her sister Mariko begins to investigate her sibling's death, she discovers multiple similar “suicides” over the last few years in the same room. Experiencing haunting encounters, Mariko must unravel the secret of Apartment 1303 before it is too late.
The cinematography by Tokusho Kikimura provides some appealing compositions, particularly when capturing the environment. This lies in part in the scenery which yields a gulf-based view of the ocean that draws the eyes into the distance. Regarding color grading, outdoor shots bear a degree of saturation that both appears natural and distinguishes environmental features. The indoor scenes on the other hand are characterized by that early digital movie look. This is most notable in the skin tones which will shift from shadows to highlights in unnatural gradients. Another quirk with the coloration is that the hues between shots occasionally differ. Though this only occurs in a few instances, it is nonetheless jarring.
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Noriko Nakagoshi does a fine job playing the optimistic Mariko who must face a ghostly entity. The need to provide an adequate performance for Mariko is heightened as the film features a very limited cast of important characters. Unfortunately, this places the heavy weight squarely on Mariko who lacks the intrigue or depth to carry the movie. On a more positive note, a young Rina Matsuno gives an unsettling performance as the vengeful spirit.
While J-horror of that era is known for its slow-paced, subdued terror, “Apartment 1303” indulges in more jump-inducing scares. On occasion, the scares give an effective punch. At worst however, the direction overplays moments to the point the over-the-top display leans more towards humor. The revelations are rather predictable and thus underwhelm in their unveiling. It does not help that the combination of the apartment setting and child spirit calls to mind “Dark Water.” For that matter, the plot in general lacks originality, resulting in the recollections of other works looming over the experience for viewers familiar with the genre. Thankfully, the climax introduces unique visuals and motifs that spice up the third act. On the other hand, the ideas the movie builds up fail to culminate in any concentrated manner in the film's conclusion.
“Apartment 1303” is a work in an era undergoing the process of winding down. With rehashed ideas that serve as reminders of movies that preceded it, seasoned fans will find little that distinguishes this film from more famous entries in the genre. That being said, such an issue is a combination of both writing and the natural progression of entertainment trends. Regardless of any comparisons to other productions though, the quality of the work in it and of itself does not substantiate a viewing.
