Kairo - Ghost Woman Scene - Sound Redesign

My own interpretation of the sound design in this clip from the Japanese horror movie, 'Kairo'. All of the audio heard in this clip was edited by me using Pro Tools. Everything heard here is my own original recording of sounds and synthesisers. No sound libraries or outside sources were used.

I had my eye out for something to redesign and this clip jumped out at me. I just started by creating the atmos on synths for after the wall lights up and the woman appears. It's such a good creepy scene that I had to see what I could do with it myself. After that I got sucked in and redesigned the whole scene in a few days.

Enjoy!

[hernandovallejo]

The ghost woman is perfectly played by Akiko Kitamura, famous Japanese choreographer. Kurosawa had previously done a CGI scene and disliked how it looked. So, he hired a seasoned dancer to walk as if she wasn’t hindered by physics, and the slight movement of her “tripping” has been interpreted as either an uncanny attempt to engage with the viewer (or the other man in the room) or also as a weirdly subtle way to let us see her face a bit.

It is reported that she actually had nightmares upon seeing her finished scene. Attagirl, works so good she scares herself!

[norostii]

Idk what it is about this that just instilled upon me this uncomfortable fear but God damn didn't expect to be scared by someone doing the staky leg

[stmiguell]

Your legs become paralyzed and as a consequence you fall, and your pure reaction is to seek a safe haven. This is what would happen to many people upon seeing this.

[Talami]

This scene is the most uncanny valley thing ever. The ghost woman looks like a normal person, but their movements appear like something mimicking the way a person walks, the completely emotionless face, everything screams "this is not a real person"

[squash]

The fact that the camera is STUCK in one angle, forcing us to face to face on how the ghost slowly walks towards the screen is just terrifying.

Something you cant take your eyes off, with your only choice is to face and SEE it approaching. Chilling scene..

[RossoMalpelo_]

One of the most creepy scene I’ve ever seen.

[jackbluehq]

1:44 some people are finding this funny how the ghost seemingly nearly trips

But not gonna lie, if there was a creepy ghost lady walking towards me, the LAST thing I'd wanna see her do is that

That is so unnerving and creepy, cause its not something you'd see a person do when walking
The ghost almost looks normal in this scene, she's standing firm like a regular human and there's nothing particularly striking that gives off huge red flags (obviously aside from the fact there's a creepy woman silently standing and staring at you)

Then she's starts walking, at first it seems fine, almost too elegantly. But then she nearly trips and moves incredibly creepy as her body slumps and sways elegantly

It's terrifying

[bubble_gum]

1:43 "OH HELL NAH"


2:41 "Damn she's hot"

[lauratude]

We're used to ghost scenes ending quickly and this one goes on and on. Unpredictable, too.

This is part of the reason why it got me, even though I'm used to horror movies.

[jojobizarrelivingstone]

The walk just isn't scary to me but the face looks a bit uncanny, it looks like her face is a realistic drawing rather than a real face its that still emotionless face that gets me a bit

[Beesho-]

The way it makes you think the ghost is about to run only to just keep walking is very scary

[sleuthentertainment]

Kiyoshi Kurosawa is an absolute master of atmospheres. "Cure", "Barren Illusion" and "Creepy" are another great examples of his artistry.

[d]

but the female ghost face is kind of pretty

[Spark_Resolve]

2:39 when it's your fourth time in a day and she still asking for more

[Disfatt_Bidge_]

Spikima explained this whole scene beautifully

[KarinaArklie]

This is my favourite horror film ever on YouTube, I absolutely love this short horror I haven't seen it for ages. My god this has got to be the scariest film in the world, really puts hairs on the back of your neck, absolutely brilliant spot on brilliant. I want to thank the lovely person who made this lovely scary film. 👍💚👍♥️👍💯💯💯🥰💜💝🌟☘️🙏

[brokeindio]

Ms ghost please dont kill me im hard rn

[opensador_V]

This is without a doubt the most terrifying scene I've ever seen in a horror movie.

[mobi]

1:17 honestly looks like renaissance painting. Beautiful

[corpseapple]

I think I actually prefer this sound design to the original.