Carved

A group of friends on a trip to a remote island find themselves stalked by a malevolent spirit after one of them takes a carved wooden doll. As they try to survive, they uncover the dark history of the island and the doll's vengeful past. The island's isolation and the increasing brutality of the attacks push the survivors to their limits.

Carved received mixed to negative reviews from critics, with some praising its atmospheric tension and Shimizu's signature directorial style, while others criticized its predictable plot and excessive gore. Audience reception was similarly divided, with horror fans appreciating the scares but many finding the narrative lacking.

• The film effectively utilizes atmospheric dread and jump scares typical of Shimizu's work.
• While visually striking, the plot is considered derivative and predictable by many.
• The reliance on gore is seen by some as gratuitous rather than impactful.

Google audience: Audience reviews for Carved are scarce, but those available indicate a divided opinion, with some appreciating the horror elements and others finding the story uninspired.

The film is a prequel to the 2007 Japanese horror film 'The Grudge 3', though it focuses on a different mythos.