The Slit-Mouthed Woman 0: The Beginning

This prequel to the 'Kuchisake-onna' franchise delves into the origins of the vengeful spirit, the Slit-Mouthed Woman. It follows a group of children who stumble upon a disturbing secret in an abandoned village, inadvertently unleashing the curse that transforms a woman into the legendary vengeful entity. As the legend unfolds, the children find themselves targeted by the monstrous spirit.

Serving as a prequel, 'The Slit-Mouthed Woman 0: The Beginning' received a mixed reception. While some critics appreciated its attempt to expand the lore and delve into the character's backstory, others found it repetitive and less impactful than the original film. The performances were generally seen as adequate for the genre, but the plot was often criticized for being convoluted and predictable.

• A decent attempt to flesh out the mythology of the Slit-Mouthed Woman.

• Fails to recapture the scares and intensity of its predecessor.

• The narrative can be somewhat confusing, diluting the overall horror impact.

Google audience: Audience reviews for this prequel are scarce and generally indicate a lukewarm reception. Some viewers felt it provided an interesting backstory to the iconic horror figure, while others found it to be a less effective and somewhat disappointing follow-up.

The film's title, 'Kuchisake-onna 0: The Beginning,' positions it as a prequel, aiming to explore the tragic events that led to the creation of the vengeful spirit.