Takashi Shimizu majored in art and drama and then began his film career working part-time at a Kyoto movie theater, writing scripts during his off hours. In 1997, after several years freelancing as an assistant director, he enrolled at the Tokyo Film Seminar (now the Film School of Tokyo).

Following the completion of a short film project for the school, his talent was spotted by director Kyoshi Kurosawa (Cure) and screenwriter Hiroshi Takashi (Ringu). Their interest in his work brought him to the attention of producer Taka Ichise, who had been asked to produce a series of 'horror stories' for a cell phone company. He asked the young director to give him some ideas of what might scare him and this process launched the beginning of the series of JU-ON movies.

With The Grudge, Shimizu is directing the story of his haunted house and revenge-seeking ghosts for the fifth time.