Dark Water (2005)

Director: Walter Salles

Cast: Jennifer Connelly as Dahlia, John C. Reilly as Mr. Murray, Tim Roth as Jeff Platzer, Dougray Scott as Kyle, Pete Postlethwaite as Veeck, Camryn Manheim as Teacher, Ariel Gade as Ceci, Perla Haney-Jardine as Natasha / Young Dahlia, Debra Monk as Young Dahlia's Teacher, Linda Emond as Mediator, Bill Buell as Mediator, J.R. Horne as Man in Train, Elina Löwensohn as Dahlia's Mother, Warren Belle as UPS Man, Alison Sealy-Smith as Supervisor

Having seen both the Japanese original and Walter Salles' remake i find
the remake was the best thing that could happen to this story. Salles
picks up the original story without making just a copy. He fills the
gaps (and there were plenty), corrects a lot of little flaws and adds
the credibility that was lacking in the original. The original was in
parts a horror movie, and a very poor one so. Predictable behavior,
foreseen turnings, forced mysteriousness - the usual problems i have
with so many horror movies. The other part is a family drama, with a
weird happy end. The happiness of which intrudes into the horror story
and further degrades it. Salles goes more than a step further here by
not making a simple horror movie. Rather he's making a stressful movie.
Stress? The stresses of everyday life in a difficult situation. A
recent divorce, fighting for the custody of the child, low budget,
cheap noisy apartment with wet ceiling, trouble at school, no contact
with neighbors, careless caretakers and managers. It's a context fueled
by very real issues people are struggling with every day. The
mysterious components only add to this and drive it, until they finally
take over. Very dense atmosphere and Jennifer Connelly's excellent
acting make you feel this stress. What more can you ask for?