I don't think I was ever confused by The Grudge despite its chaotic storytelling technique, but yea thinking about the staircase just sent a chill down my spine lolIt's a shame too because it has some of the best imagery of any 2000s horror movie. That staircase!
For me, it was that cat-kid. He was a whole lot of "nopenopenope"
Orlando used The Ring (unofficially) in 2006's "All Nite Die-In" (along with Scream, Hellraiser & Silence of the Lambs). It was an interesting segment, but I feel it worked best in a compilation style house instead of just being it's own thing. However, if they gave us a mini attraction in DreamWorks, that'd be similar to Japan using it in their T23D venue (which sadly hasn't returned post-apocalypse).