Riding the success of such modern J-horror as RINGU, JU-ON and DARK WATER; the low-budget SOV "THE LOCKER" sets up another Japanese urban legend ghost tale with typical genre staples. Little imagination shows in its vision, even to go as far to steal the well-known climatic scare from "RINGU" right down to the camera shot of the singular eye amongst the long black hair. Instead of being unsettling, that moment is unintentionally tacky where the TV is replaced by a locker. Legend has it if you use a certain locker in Shibuya, your romantic wish will be granted. A group of rowdy college students try it out, but end up unleashing a curse that sees them haunted by phantom baby cries and paranormal phenomena.
At only 71 minutes never does it get going nor build any sense of atmospheric tension or suffocation, mainly due the flat direction, uninteresting performances and lackadaisical mystery surrounding the unusual events. Characters start hearing baby cries, seeing baby handprints, or little hands popping up. Then there's the moving rag that appears every now and then with the long black hair growing out. All of this leads to people either disappearing, seeing things that aren't there or simply going out of their mind leading to death. Other than one or two scenes, the scares don't get under your skin but only bamboozle. Nothing about this vengeful spirit is creepy, as the mannerisms (distorted body movements with crackling bones) are beyond clichéd and ghost make-up is cheaply done. The budget restraints might show, but it's a lack of originality along with its banal treatment of the routine makes "THE LOCKER" a disappointment.