One Missed Call 2
In Japan, the daycare teacher Kyoko Okudera is convinced by her colleague and friend Madoka to visit her boyfriend Naoto Sakurai in the restaurant where he works instead of studying as planned. When the owner Mr. Wang answers his daughter's mobile phone, he receives a message telling him that he would die in an accident in the kitchen. This immediately comes true. Later, Naoto is visited by the snoopy journalist Takako Nozoe, who is researching the death call, and she plays the deadly ring tone for him. He recalls that not only Mr. Wang, but also Madoka have received similar calls. Meanwhile Kyoko is talking to Madoka and she sees a ghost in her phone. She rushes to Madoka's apartment and finds her dead in the bathtub, with Naoto and Takako arriving immediately after. Their investigation shows that Mimiko's grandfather Wei Zhang is in Taiwan and Takako asks her former husband Yuting to search him. Meanwhile, Kyoko receives a phone call and the autopsies of Mr. Wang and Madoka indicate the presence of coal dust in their lungs and no candies in their mouths. Takako, Naoto and Kyoko travel to Taiwan expecting to solve the mystery and save Kyoko from her fate.
The film earned $12.3M at the global box office.
Plot Structure
Story beats plotted across runtime
Narrative Arc
Emotional journey through the story's key moments
Story Circle
Blueprint 15-beat structure
Arcplot Score Breakdown
Weighted: Precision (70%) + Arc (15%) + Theme (15%)
One Missed Call 2 (2005) reveals deliberately positioned narrative architecture, characteristic of Renpei Tsukamoto's storytelling approach. This structural analysis examines how the film's 15-point plot structure maps to proven narrative frameworks across 1 hour and 45 minutes. With an Arcplot score of 7.4, the film balances conventional beats with creative variation.
Structural Analysis
The Status Quo at 1 minutes (1% through the runtime) establishes Kyoko works as a reporter, living a normal life in the city. She is shown at her workplace, establishing her ordinary world before the supernatural events begin.. Notably, this early placement immediately immerses viewers in the story world.
The inciting incident occurs at 12 minutes when Kyoko receives information about new deaths connected to the cursed phone calls, pulling her into an investigation. The old curse has returned, disrupting her normal life.. At 11% through the film, this Disruption aligns precisely with traditional story structure. This beat shifts the emotional landscape, launching the protagonist into the central conflict.
The First Threshold at 26 minutes marks the transition into Act II, occurring at 25% of the runtime. This illustrates the protagonist's commitment to Kyoko makes the active choice to fully investigate the curse and travels to Taiwan following a lead about the curse's origin, leaving her safe world behind., moving from reaction to action.
At 52 minutes, the Midpoint arrives at 50% of the runtime—precisely centered, creating perfect narrative symmetry. Significantly, this crucial beat Kyoko discovers the truth about Mimiko's mother and the abuse that created the curse, but realizes this knowledge may not be enough to stop it. A false defeat as the curse seems unstoppable., fundamentally raising what's at risk. The emotional intensity shifts, dividing the narrative into clear before-and-after phases.
The Collapse moment at 78 minutes (74% through) represents the emotional nadir. Here, Takako dies from the curse despite their efforts, a devastating loss. Kyoko faces the "whiff of death" as the person she was trying to save is killed, and she confronts her own mortality., demonstrates the protagonist at their lowest point. This beat's placement in the final quarter sets up the climactic reversal.
The Second Threshold at 84 minutes initiates the final act resolution at 80% of the runtime. Kyoko realizes the curse must be confronted at its source with understanding rather than fear. She synthesizes what she learned about Mimiko's pain and decides to face the spirit directly., demonstrating the transformation achieved throughout the journey.
Emotional Journey
One Missed Call 2's emotional architecture traces a deliberate progression across 15 carefully calibrated beats.
Narrative Framework
This structural analysis employs systematic plot point analysis that identifies crucial turning points. By mapping One Missed Call 2 against these established plot points, we can identify how Renpei Tsukamoto utilizes or subverts traditional narrative conventions. The plot point approach reveals not only adherence to structural principles but also creative choices that distinguish One Missed Call 2 within the horror genre.
Comparative Analysis
Additional horror films include Lake Placid, A Nightmare on Elm Street and Cat's Eye.
Plot Points by Act
Act I
SetupStatus Quo
Kyoko works as a reporter, living a normal life in the city. She is shown at her workplace, establishing her ordinary world before the supernatural events begin.
Theme
A character mentions that "the dead don't let go of the living" and questions whether escaping the past is truly possible, establishing the theme of being haunted by unresolved trauma.
Worldbuilding
Introduction to Kyoko's world, her journalism work, and the initial hints of the cursed phone calls phenomenon. We learn about the previous incidents and establish the rules of this supernatural threat.
Disruption
Kyoko receives information about new deaths connected to the cursed phone calls, pulling her into an investigation. The old curse has returned, disrupting her normal life.
Resistance
Kyoko debates whether to investigate further, researches the curse's origins, and meets with Takako who lost someone to the curse. She gathers information and prepares to confront the supernatural threat.
Act II
ConfrontationFirst Threshold
Kyoko makes the active choice to fully investigate the curse and travels to Taiwan following a lead about the curse's origin, leaving her safe world behind.
Mirror World
Introduction of the Taiwanese television crew and locals who have their own connection to the curse. They represent an alternate perspective on dealing with supernatural forces and grief.
Premise
Kyoko explores Taiwan, investigates the curse's origins, experiences supernatural phenomena, and uncovers the tragic backstory of Mimiko, the vengeful spirit. The horror premise delivers its promised scares.
Midpoint
Kyoko discovers the truth about Mimiko's mother and the abuse that created the curse, but realizes this knowledge may not be enough to stop it. A false defeat as the curse seems unstoppable.
Opposition
The curse intensifies, killing more people around Kyoko. The vengeful spirit grows stronger, and attempts to break the curse fail. Kyoko's allies begin dying, and she realizes she may be next.
Collapse
Takako dies from the curse despite their efforts, a devastating loss. Kyoko faces the "whiff of death" as the person she was trying to save is killed, and she confronts her own mortality.
Crisis
Kyoko processes the loss and her apparent failure. She experiences dark despair, questioning whether the curse can be stopped or if she's doomed to the same fate as the others.
Act III
ResolutionSecond Threshold
Kyoko realizes the curse must be confronted at its source with understanding rather than fear. She synthesizes what she learned about Mimiko's pain and decides to face the spirit directly.
Synthesis
Kyoko confronts the vengeful spirit Mimiko, attempting to appease her and break the cycle of the curse. The final supernatural confrontation plays out with Kyoko using her knowledge of the spirit's origins.
Transformation
The film ends ambiguously with Kyoko having survived but fundamentally changed by the experience. The curse may or may not be truly broken, suggesting the past cannot be fully escaped.