Influential performers: Rie Inō
Hello and welcome to a new blog series I’m doing, on performers who have been influential in my acting niche.
Starting with the one and only, Rie Inō. Perhaps best known for her performance as Sadako Yamamura in Ringu. It’s not like it was the first time I ever saw a ghost in a movie, but for some reason, that performance was the one that made me realise I wanted to play dead for a living. Everything about the way she moved was so captivating. You could feel Sadako’s presence in the room after the movie ended.
And even now, every day, when I go into a hallway at night. Just for a moment. I wonder if Sadako could be waiting there. I knew I wanted to have that kind of impact on people.
Rie was born in Tokyo in 1967. She apparently began her career via experimental Kabuki, with the Banyû Inryoku troupe in 1987. It is hard to find out much about her, but she did appear in the Shudder documentary The J-Horror Virus, from 2023.
Rie was pregnant during the filming of Ringu, and when she was asked back for Ringu 2, she knew the baby would be due by then. Director Hideo Nakata wanted to maintain Sadako’s movement and appearance, particularly the fingers. This meant that Rie wound up breastfeeding her son in full makeup in-between takes, including hand makeup which made it look like her nails were peeled off.
Apparently some of Sadako’s movements were originally performed backwards to contribute to their uncanny look. Although the original intention was to use a wig, Rie used all of her own hair as Sadako.
Although her background does seem to be more particularly in Kabuki, I think it is likely that a form of dance called Butoh also inspired the performance of Sadako.
In Ringu 2, there is a scene in which Sadako pursues characters up the walls of her well. Her face is a prosthetic, resembling forensic facial reconstructions but also, to me, some Butoh makeup.
What might be most striking about the performance is Sadako’s heavy ferocity despite operating in complete silence. She has made a decision, she is coming to get you, whether you like it or not. There is intent and certainty in the restraint.
I wish there was more I could tell you, but Rie Inō seems to be quite the mystery. But what I do know for sure, is that she had an indelible impact on me and my own performance style. Always gotta hesitate just in case she is, in fact, in the hallway at night.
Two of Rie’s performances (so far) are on my list of Movies to see once in your life.
- Influential performers: Rie Inō - January 20, 2026
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