THE RING, directed by Gore Verbinski (THE MEXICAN and MOUSE HUNT), is based on RINGU, a Japanese box office hit. This American version stars Naomi Watts as Rachel Keller, an investigative reporter who is asked by one of the victim's mothers to investigate the events surrounding her daughter's demise. You will remember Watts from a much more bizarre mystery, last year's wacky and weird MULHOLLAND DR.

Like a scientist who tries out her vaccine on herself first, Rachel has to watch the killer tape as soon as she gets her hands on it. It starts with the image of a ring and gets very strange after that. Think of it as a video collage made by Lizzie Borden. When Rachel can't figure it out, she takes the tape to Noah (Martin Henderson), her video geek friend. She hopes that he can find subliminal messages and other clues on it. Of course, this means that he'll have to see it too -- and be toast soon after she departs this life.

Although THE RING has horror picture elements, it is more of an intriguing mystery and detective story than a shocker, no matter what the film's marketing might lead you to believe. The seven days of the rest of Rachel's life are counted on the screen, which adds to the tension. David Dorfman, who plays Rachel's son, Aidan, and who looks a bit like Haley Joel Osment, gives the movie some of the feel of THE SIXTH SENSE. He sees dead people too.

The ingredients of the mystery include dead horses, a lighthouse and even a fly. Don't try too hard to guess what will happen since they are several unpredictable twists. It's a satisfying little thriller that'll provide a couple of opportunities to put some distance between your buttock and the seat cushion. And did I mention that the cast includes Brian Cox? That's always a good sign.

THE RING runs 1:55. It is rated PG-13 for "thematic elements, disturbing images, language and some drug references" and would be acceptable for teenagers.