The Ring is a 2002 American supernatural horror film directed by Gore Verbinski and written by Ehren Kruger. It stars Naomi Watts, Martin Henderson, David Dorfman, and Brian Cox. The film follows Rachel Keller (Watts), a journalist who discovers a cursed VHS tape that causes its viewers to die seven days later. It was produced by Walter F. Parkes and Laurie MacDonald, with Roy Lee, Mike Macari, and Michele Weisler serving as executive producers.