Most Americans probably equate Asian cinema with The Ring or Sarah Michelle Gellar’s pouty emoting in The Grudge, but anyone who’s tracked down the Japanese originals knows our Hollywood remakes aren’t nearly as terrifying.

That’s mostly due to the cultural gap; the white-garbed, stringy-haired girl ghosts in those movies are symbolic of the yurei, or malevolent spirits in Japanese folklore who die bearing an emotional distress they must inflict from beyond the grave. Asian horror and shock films go beyond mere entertainment to assault the viewer with psychological and social questions that stick around long after the popcorn is gone. Directors like Takashi Miike turn gore and violence into beautiful plays on color and texture. Think art film quality, plus arterial spray, and stories yanked from the headlines.

Here are a few popular titles for the budding Japanese shock enthusiast. And don’t sweat the subtitles -- these movies are so action driven the dialogue is almost unnecessary.

Battle Royale

Class B has been chosen to serve as an example to Japan’s schools by participating in a Battle Royale. The class is dropped on a deserted island, each student given a weapon, and turned out for a battle only one can survive. The weapons range in usefulness from a rice pot lid to bow and arrow, from 9mm semiautomatic handgun to binoculars. The ingenuity these kids use to kill each other off can be genuinely hilarious, making it the perfect blockbuster to watch with a group of friends who’ll cheer along with you.

Availability: Rent online from Netflix

Audition

Technically a love story, this movie is about a lonely widower who seeks his romantic match through a film audition. The demure girl he picks turns out to have issues; she’s looking for a love that will belong to her alone, even if she has to maim the guy to keep him. Audition makes Fatal Attraction look like The Care Bears Movie, and the slow torture scene at the end is definitely not for the squeamish. Watch it with a date you’re trying to measure up.

Availablility: Rent online from Netflix or Blockbuster, or locally from Movie Gallery (Wrightsboro Road store) or Blockbuster (Peach Orchard Road store). Buy locally at Best Buy (not in stock, can order for $9.99) or Movie Stop (in stock, $15).

2LDK

Two actresses room together in a posh Tokyo penthouse, their competition for roles and love interests driving them to savagery. This is another battle to the death movie, with inventive use of household equipment as weaponry. The entire movie takes place inside the apartment for an edgy claustrophobic feel. It’s like MTV’s Real World would be if the cast really took off their gloves -- a chick flick for those very secure in their friendships.

Availability: Rent online from Netflix

Visitor Q

At its core, VQ is a family drama given shock treatments. A family on the verge of implosion acquires a mysterious houseguest. The unfaithful husband, abusive son and wenchy daughter are shadowed and encouraged by their visitor to fully live out their dark sides. In the end, the family unit is restored, gloriously so, but the trip back to a loving home is so fraught with violence and disgust that you’re riveted to the screen in spite of the creepiness. This film is better for mature solo viewers with strong stomachs and a sense of humor.

Availability: Rent online from Netflix or Blockbuster (not for rent in local stores). Buy it locally at Best Buy (not in stock, can order for $24.99) or Movie Stop (in stock, $22).

Clips

Needless to say, don't watch if you don't like violent, scary stuff.

Audition

Visitor Q

Battle Royale

2LDK