The Ring Two
A high school student named Jake tries to make his girlfriend Emily watch a cursed tape. But then Jake finds out that Emily covered her eyes and didn't watch the tape, and then Jake is killed by Samara Morgan (from the first The Ring movie). Rachel Keller learns of Jake's death and finds his twisted body in the back of an ambulance. Rachel then realizes she once again has to save her son Aidan from Samara the evil ghost child.
Despite a moderate budget of $50.0M, The Ring Two became a commercial success, earning $161.5M worldwide—a 223% return.
2 wins & 11 nominations
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%)
The Ring Two (2005) reveals strategically placed narrative architecture, characteristic of Hideo Nakata's storytelling approach. This structural analysis examines how the film's 13-point plot structure maps to proven narrative frameworks across 1 hour and 50 minutes. With an Arcplot score of 7.2, the film balances conventional beats with creative variation.
Structural Analysis
The Status Quo at 1 minutes (1% through the runtime) establishes Rachel and Aidan have relocated to a small Oregon town, attempting to rebuild their lives six months after the cursed videotape incident. Rachel works at a local newspaper while Aidan struggles to adjust to his new school.. Notably, this early placement immediately immerses viewers in the story world.
The inciting incident occurs at 14 minutes when Rachel discovers the cursed videotape has resurfaced in Astoria. A local teenager dies under mysterious circumstances, and Rachel realizes Samara's curse has followed them, making their escape impossible.. 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 28 minutes marks the transition into Act II, occurring at 25% of the runtime. This illustrates the protagonist's commitment to Aidan is hospitalized after a near-drowning incident at the bathhouse. Rachel chooses to actively investigate Samara's origins and find a way to save her son, committing herself to confronting the vengeful spirit directly., moving from reaction to action.
At 55 minutes, the Midpoint arrives at 50% of the runtime—precisely centered, creating perfect narrative symmetry. Of particular interest, this crucial beat Rachel discovers that Samara was never human but rather an evil entity that drove her biological mother to attempt drowning her. The stakes raise dramatically: Samara doesn't want to kill Aidan—she wants to be reborn through him, replacing his soul entirely., fundamentally raising what's at risk. The emotional intensity shifts, dividing the narrative into clear before-and-after phases.
The Collapse moment at 83 minutes (75% through) represents the emotional nadir. Here, Aidan, fully possessed by Samara, attacks Rachel and declares "I'm not your son." Rachel realizes she has lost her son to the entity. Max is killed trying to help. Rachel hits rock bottom, facing the death of her child's identity., illustrates the protagonist at their lowest point. This beat's placement in the final quarter sets up the climactic reversal.
The Synthesis at 88 minutes initiates the final act resolution at 80% of the runtime. Rachel returns to the well where Samara died. Through an act of maternal sacrifice, she descends into the well and uses her love for Aidan to pull his soul back while forcing Samara's spirit back into the watery grave, resealing the entity through emotional rather than physical means., demonstrating the transformation achieved throughout the journey.
Emotional Journey
The Ring Two's emotional architecture traces a deliberate progression across 13 carefully calibrated beats.
Narrative Framework
This structural analysis employs structural analysis methodology used to understand storytelling architecture. By mapping The Ring Two against these established plot points, we can identify how Hideo Nakata utilizes or subverts traditional narrative conventions. The plot point approach reveals not only adherence to structural principles but also creative choices that distinguish The Ring Two within the horror genre.
Hideo Nakata's Structural Approach
Among the 5 Hideo Nakata films analyzed on Arcplot, the average structural score is 7.3, reflecting strong command of classical structure. The Ring Two takes a more unconventional approach compared to the director's typical style. For comparative analysis, explore the complete Hideo Nakata filmography.
Comparative Analysis
Additional horror films include Lake Placid, A Nightmare on Elm Street and Cat's Eye. For more Hideo Nakata analyses, see Ring, Ring 2 and Death Note: L Change the WorLd.
Plot Points by Act
Act I
SetupStatus Quo
Rachel and Aidan have relocated to a small Oregon town, attempting to rebuild their lives six months after the cursed videotape incident. Rachel works at a local newspaper while Aidan struggles to adjust to his new school.
Theme
Rachel's editor mentions that "some things can't be left behind" when discussing her investigative skills, foreshadowing that Rachel cannot escape her past and must confront the maternal bond that transcends death.
Worldbuilding
Establishment of Rachel and Aidan's fragile new life in Astoria, Oregon. Rachel investigates a teenager's mysterious death that bears the hallmarks of the cursed tape. Aidan displays strange behavior and drawings, hinting that Samara's influence hasn't ended.
Disruption
Rachel discovers the cursed videotape has resurfaced in Astoria. A local teenager dies under mysterious circumstances, and Rachel realizes Samara's curse has followed them, making their escape impossible.
Resistance
Rachel debates whether to confront the threat or continue running. She burns the tape, believing she can end the curse. Aidan's behavior becomes increasingly disturbed as Samara's spirit begins possessing him, forcing Rachel to acknowledge the supernatural threat.
Act II
ConfrontationFirst Threshold
Aidan is hospitalized after a near-drowning incident at the bathhouse. Rachel chooses to actively investigate Samara's origins and find a way to save her son, committing herself to confronting the vengeful spirit directly.
Mirror World
Rachel meets Max, a journalist and potential ally who provides research assistance. More importantly, the relationship between Rachel and the possessing Samara creates a dark mirror of motherhood—exploring what a mother will do to protect her child versus a child seeking a mother.
Premise
Rachel investigates Samara's backstory, traveling to her birthplace and uncovering the disturbing truth about her biological mother. Meanwhile, Aidan becomes increasingly possessed, exhibiting Samara's mannerisms and coldness, creating escalating supernatural horror sequences.
Midpoint
Rachel discovers that Samara was never human but rather an evil entity that drove her biological mother to attempt drowning her. The stakes raise dramatically: Samara doesn't want to kill Aidan—she wants to be reborn through him, replacing his soul entirely.
Opposition
Samara's possession of Aidan intensifies. Rachel becomes increasingly isolated as those who try to help become victims. She desperately searches for a way to expel Samara while Aidan's personality fades, creating a ticking clock as her son slips away.
Collapse
Aidan, fully possessed by Samara, attacks Rachel and declares "I'm not your son." Rachel realizes she has lost her son to the entity. Max is killed trying to help. Rachel hits rock bottom, facing the death of her child's identity.
Crisis
Rachel processes the devastating reality that traditional methods cannot save Aidan. She grieves the loss of her son while held captive by Samara. In her darkest moment, she must find the strength for an unconventional solution.
Act III
ResolutionSynthesis
Rachel returns to the well where Samara died. Through an act of maternal sacrifice, she descends into the well and uses her love for Aidan to pull his soul back while forcing Samara's spirit back into the watery grave, resealing the entity through emotional rather than physical means.