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 mid-range budget of $50.0M, The Ring Two became a financial 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) exemplifies deliberately positioned dramatic framework, characteristic of Hideo Nakata's storytelling approach. This structural analysis examines how the film's 15-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 the small coastal town of Astoria, Oregon, seeking a fresh start after the traumatic Seattle events. Rachel works at the local newspaper while Aidan struggles with lingering psychological scars from his encounter with Samara.. The analysis reveals that this early placement immediately immerses viewers in the story world.
The inciting incident occurs at 13 minutes when Rachel covers the death of a local teen who died mysteriously. At the scene, she discovers a copy of the cursed videotape and realizes Samara's curse has followed them to Astoria. Her hope for a new beginning is shattered.. At 12% 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 28 minutes marks the transition into Act II, occurring at 25% of the runtime. This shows the protagonist's commitment to When Aidan is attacked by deer on the road in a supernatural incident, Rachel realizes running is futile. She actively chooses to investigate Samara's origins and destroy the curse at its source, committing to the dangerous path ahead., 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 False defeat: Aidan is fully possessed by Samara, who reveals she chose them because Rachel "set her free." The possession is complete, and Rachel realizes no physical or medical intervention can save her son - this is a spiritual battle she must fight., 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, Evelyn reveals the horrifying truth: she tried to drown Samara as an infant to stop her evil. She tells Rachel the only way to expel Samara is to drown the host body - Rachel must drown her own son. The "whiff of death" is literal: she must kill Aidan to save him., indicates the protagonist at their lowest point. This beat's placement in the final quarter sets up the climactic reversal.
The Second Threshold at 88 minutes initiates the final act resolution at 80% of the runtime. Rachel makes her choice: she submerges Aidan in the bathtub, forcing Samara out of his body. As Aidan's heart stops, Rachel enters the spirit world to rescue him. She has synthesized Evelyn's knowledge with her own maternal love - not to kill, but to reclaim., demonstrating the transformation achieved throughout the journey.
Emotional Journey
The Ring Two'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 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 4 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 Thinner, A Nightmare on Elm Street and Mary Reilly. 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 the small coastal town of Astoria, Oregon, seeking a fresh start after the traumatic Seattle events. Rachel works at the local newspaper while Aidan struggles with lingering psychological scars from his encounter with Samara.
Theme
Max, Rachel's colleague, comments on the difficulties of raising a child alone and protecting them from the world's dangers. The theme of maternal sacrifice and the lengths a mother will go to protect her child is subtly introduced.
Worldbuilding
The setup establishes Rachel's new job at the Astoria newspaper, Aidan's withdrawn behavior and nightmares, and their attempt to rebuild normalcy. A local teenager is shown watching a copy of the cursed tape at a friend's house, indicating the curse has followed them.
Disruption
Rachel covers the death of a local teen who died mysteriously. At the scene, she discovers a copy of the cursed videotape and realizes Samara's curse has followed them to Astoria. Her hope for a new beginning is shattered.
Resistance
Rachel attempts to destroy the tape and debates whether to flee again or confront the curse. She investigates the teen's death, discovering he was part of a chain of tape-sharing. Meanwhile, Aidan begins exhibiting strange behavior and lowered body temperature.
Act II
ConfrontationFirst Threshold
When Aidan is attacked by deer on the road in a supernatural incident, Rachel realizes running is futile. She actively chooses to investigate Samara's origins and destroy the curse at its source, committing to the dangerous path ahead.
Mirror World
Aidan's possession by Samara begins manifesting clearly - his body temperature drops dangerously, he speaks in Samara's voice, and he displays knowledge he shouldn't have. The mother-son bond becomes the central battleground where the film's themes will be tested.
Premise
Rachel investigates Samara's past, discovering she was adopted and her biological mother may still be alive. She takes the increasingly possessed Aidan to doctors who suspect child abuse due to his hypothermia. Rachel uncovers that Samara craves a mother and is trying to be "reborn" through Aidan.
Midpoint
False defeat: Aidan is fully possessed by Samara, who reveals she chose them because Rachel "set her free." The possession is complete, and Rachel realizes no physical or medical intervention can save her son - this is a spiritual battle she must fight.
Opposition
Rachel tracks down Evelyn, Samara's institutionalized biological mother. Samara's possession of Aidan intensifies - she attacks Rachel and others. Child protective services intervenes, threatening to take Aidan. Rachel breaks him out, desperate to find the solution before losing him forever.
Collapse
Evelyn reveals the horrifying truth: she tried to drown Samara as an infant to stop her evil. She tells Rachel the only way to expel Samara is to drown the host body - Rachel must drown her own son. The "whiff of death" is literal: she must kill Aidan to save him.
Crisis
Rachel struggles with the impossible choice. Samara/Aidan taunts her, testing whether Rachel is truly willing to sacrifice everything. Rachel grapples with the paradox of killing her child to save him, facing the darkest decision any mother could make.
Act III
ResolutionSecond Threshold
Rachel makes her choice: she submerges Aidan in the bathtub, forcing Samara out of his body. As Aidan's heart stops, Rachel enters the spirit world to rescue him. She has synthesized Evelyn's knowledge with her own maternal love - not to kill, but to reclaim.
Synthesis
Rachel descends into the well/spirit realm to confront Samara directly. She finds Aidan's spirit and fights Samara for him. Rachel declares "I'm not your mommy" - rejecting Samara while affirming her bond with Aidan. She pulls Aidan back to life, reviving him through CPR.
Transformation
Rachel and a recovered Aidan drive away together, their bond proven unbreakable. Aidan asks if she's his mother, and Rachel affirms it. The final image shows them united, transformed by their ordeal - Rachel has proven herself through the ultimate maternal sacrifice.