Ring 0
The prequel to the horror film Ringu, this movie provides the background story of how Sadako later became the vengeful murdering spirit. The story starts with her as a shy, somewhat withdrawn, college student who nonetheless gets involved in a drama club. The director thinks she has talent, but some of the other performers start to get jealous of the attention he gives her. Meanwhile, a reporter investigating Sadako's spiritualist mother thinks there's something very suspicious about the young woman, and arrives on campus to confront Sadako just as a series of strange deaths start sweeping through the drama club.
Working with a modest budget of $6.0M, the film achieved a modest success with $11.9M in global revenue (+99% profit margin).
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%)
Ring 0 (2000) exemplifies deliberately positioned plot construction, characteristic of Norio Tsuruta's storytelling approach. This structural analysis examines how the film's 15-point plot structure maps to proven narrative frameworks across 1 hour and 39 minutes. With an Arcplot score of 6.8, the film balances conventional beats with creative variation.
Structural Analysis
The Status Quo at 1 minutes (1% through the runtime) establishes Sadako Yamamura performs on stage with her theater troupe, appearing as a shy but talented young actress trying to find her place in the world.. The analysis reveals that this early placement immediately immerses viewers in the story world.
The inciting incident occurs at 13 minutes when A fellow actress, Aiko, begins experiencing strange phenomena and becomes jealous of Sadako's natural talent and Toyama's attention, triggering the first signs of supernatural disturbances.. At 13% through the film, this Disruption is delayed, allowing extended setup of the story world. This beat shifts the emotional landscape, launching the protagonist into the central conflict.
The First Threshold at 25 minutes marks the transition into Act II, occurring at 25% of the runtime. This demonstrates the protagonist's commitment to Sadako chooses to stay with the troupe and commit to her relationship with Toyama, despite growing evidence of her dangerous supernatural nature. She crosses into a world where she can no longer hide what she is., moving from reaction to action.
At 50 minutes, the Midpoint arrives at 51% of the runtime—precisely centered, creating perfect narrative symmetry. Of particular interest, this crucial beat A troupe member dies under mysterious circumstances, and suspicion falls on Sadako. The false victory of her integration into normal society collapses as her true nature becomes undeniable. The stakes escalate dramatically., fundamentally raising what's at risk. The emotional intensity shifts, dividing the narrative into clear before-and-after phases.
The Collapse moment at 75 minutes (76% through) represents the emotional nadir. Here, The troupe attacks Sadako, and Toyama betrays her out of fear. Her last hope for humanity and love dies as she realizes she will never be accepted. This is her spiritual death before the physical one., indicates the protagonist at their lowest point. This beat's placement in the final quarter sets up the climactic reversal.
The Second Threshold at 79 minutes initiates the final act resolution at 80% of the runtime. Sadako fully embraces her curse and transforms into the vengeful spirit. The synthesis of her supernatural powers and rage at humanity creates the entity that will haunt the videotape. She crosses into pure evil., demonstrating the transformation achieved throughout the journey.
Emotional Journey
Ring 0's emotional architecture traces a deliberate progression across 15 carefully calibrated beats.
Narrative Framework
This structural analysis employs a 15-point narrative structure framework that maps key story moments. By mapping Ring 0 against these established plot points, we can identify how Norio Tsuruta utilizes or subverts traditional narrative conventions. The plot point approach reveals not only adherence to structural principles but also creative choices that distinguish Ring 0 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
Sadako Yamamura performs on stage with her theater troupe, appearing as a shy but talented young actress trying to find her place in the world.
Theme
A troupe member comments on how some people are cursed from birth, foreshadowing the tragic inevitability of Sadako's nature and the question of whether one can escape their destiny.
Worldbuilding
Sadako integrates into the theater troupe, developing friendships and a budding romance with Toyama. Her psychic abilities remain dormant as she experiences normalcy for the first time.
Disruption
A fellow actress, Aiko, begins experiencing strange phenomena and becomes jealous of Sadako's natural talent and Toyama's attention, triggering the first signs of supernatural disturbances.
Resistance
Sadako resists the emergence of her powers and attempts to maintain her normal life. Toyama becomes her confidant, and she debates whether to stay with the troupe or flee from her awakening abilities.
Act II
ConfrontationFirst Threshold
Sadako chooses to stay with the troupe and commit to her relationship with Toyama, despite growing evidence of her dangerous supernatural nature. She crosses into a world where she can no longer hide what she is.
Mirror World
Toyama's love and acceptance of Sadako represents the thematic counterpoint: the possibility of redemption through human connection and the hope that love can overcome a cursed nature.
Premise
Sadako and Toyama's romance deepens while supernatural incidents escalate around the troupe. The premise of a cursed girl seeking normalcy plays out as she tries to balance humanity with her dark powers.
Midpoint
A troupe member dies under mysterious circumstances, and suspicion falls on Sadako. The false victory of her integration into normal society collapses as her true nature becomes undeniable. The stakes escalate dramatically.
Opposition
The troupe turns against Sadako as more deaths occur. Her powers grow uncontrollable. Toyama is torn between his love and fear. Dr. Heihachiro Ikuma, her father, arrives and reveals the full truth of her cursed origins.
Collapse
The troupe attacks Sadako, and Toyama betrays her out of fear. Her last hope for humanity and love dies as she realizes she will never be accepted. This is her spiritual death before the physical one.
Crisis
Sadako descends into darkness, her human side surrendering to the vengeful entity she is becoming. She processes the complete loss of her dream for a normal life and the total rejection by those she loved.
Act III
ResolutionSecond Threshold
Sadako fully embraces her curse and transforms into the vengeful spirit. The synthesis of her supernatural powers and rage at humanity creates the entity that will haunt the videotape. She crosses into pure evil.
Synthesis
Dr. Ikuma throws Sadako down the well, sealing her fate. The curse is completed. The events that will lead to the videotape and the original Ring story are set in motion. The finale shows her transformation into eternal vengeance.
Transformation
Sadako in the well, her humanity completely gone, transformed into the cursed spirit who will kill through the videotape. The tragedy is complete: the innocent girl seeking love has become an eternal engine of death.