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10 Best Asian Horror FilmsOct 30 '07 Write an essay on this topic.The Bottom Line A beginning guide to what is good in Asian horror cinema. Horror is not defined by what is on the screen, but by the perception of the audience. Not all classic American horror films work well in other countries and vice versa. It all depends on the individual and what keeps them up late at night. Asian horror comes primarily from Hong Kong, Thailand, Korea, and Japan thought it also comes from the Phillipines, Singapore, Malaysia, and India. These films have been produced for decades though it is only in the last few years that they have made it over the Pacific Ocean to America. Much of the reason for the sudden exposure came because of The Ring which originated in Japan as Ringu and later was remade in Korea as The Ring Virus. Gore Verbinski remade it in the United States in 2002. None of the three films is that great, though the American one is probably best because of the extra budget and casting choices. Japan and Korea are the undisputed Asian masters of horror. Every year tons of new flicks debut, many of which get US releases too. In looking at the films and analyzing their plots and characters, I have discovered some common themes. The first thing new viewers will note is that rather than focusing on abrupt scares and gratuitous blood and sex, these movies tend toward psychological terror and slowly building tension. Ghosts and folk religion are also pretty prominent throughout--possession, exorcism and the like. Also frequently featured is torture, insanity, and general suffering. The origin of these movies is often indistinguishable. I often have difficulties figuring out where a particular movie comes from since I'm not versed in local traditions and language. As a result of my recent disillusionment with remakes, crappy video game horror, and generally dull and uncreative movies I've attempted to learn more about foreign (and not just Asian) horror films. While I don't find Asian horror to be the most terrifying on the whole, I do think there have been some excellent movies. My reasonably thorough exploration of the genre has yielded a top 10 list. Prepare to be amused, impressed, and generally inspired by the choices below. They aren't in any particular order, but suffice it to say that these ten horror movies are among the best to have come out of Asia in the last decade. "Weird" doesn't even come close to covering these mostly understated gems. Audition (Ōdishon, Japan) While not the best Asian horror film, Audition does hold some of the most brutal imagery every committed to (relatively) mainstream film. Audition is the story of a lonely middle aged man looking for love. He consults a very professional dating service where he meets up with a delicate young woman. Most of my issue with Audition is that the first 3/4 of the movie movies incredibly slowly. The last quarter on the other hand is unforgettable. If you are interested in Audition to this point, it is prudent for me to mention that this movie deals very specifically and very graphically with torture. If you can't handle torture scenes, skip this one...otherwise check it out. The Eye (East Asia) Soon to hit the big screen, American style, The Eye is one of my favorite Asian flicks because it is original and terrifying with some great visuals. Our protagonist is a blind young woman who through the miracle of science receives an eye transplant which restores her vision. But not everything about the procedure works out. In fact, she starts having visions of people, places, and events that are unfamiliar. Soon she discovers that these visions are not her own. The Eye might be my favorite movie on this list--it is definitely recommended for new Asian horror fans. The Grudge (Ju-On, Japan) Ju-On (or "The Grudge") is one of those aformentioned ghost stories that frequently pop up in Asian horror. In the case of this particular Japanese movie centers on a sinister home that apparently drives people crazy. It is haunted by black visions and causes people to hallucinate about the victims of past brutal crimes. Our protagonist is a young teacher concerned for a missing student. He discovers that the worst has happened. The filmmakers cleverly add to the mythology with what happened next. We see how the home is cursed and how it's apparent thirst for blood cannot be quenched. It is a short movie (just 70 or so minutes) and is full of lots of spooky imagery and some really creepy scenes. It was a direct-to-video release in Japan but delivers far more than I even expected. Dumplings (Gaau ji, Hong Kong) As one of the most disturbing movies I've ever seen, there is no question why Fruit Chan's Dumplings makes an appearance on this list. The basic jist of things is that there is a beautiful movie star who desperately wants to hold on to her youth (and husband). She will do anything to stay young and as a result seeks out the help of a woman who makes very special dumplings--the best in the world. We learn very early on that these dumplings are not just special, they actually hold a sinister filling. As the movie draws to an end, we find that this desperate woman really is willing to do ANYTHING to stay young. ANYTHING. Marebito (Japan) Masuoka is at best a filmmaker and at worst a voyeur. He carries his video camera with him everywhere and soon becomes fascinated with the idea of fear. What makes people truly terrified? Why do some people resort to murder or suicide? Soon he discovers and falls in love with a blood-drinking young woman. He kills to satisfy her hunger. The real mystery in Marebito is WHY Masuoka is behaving in this way and why he is seeing strange things. We're never given a good explanation. Is it mental illness? What about the "Dero" (detrimental robots)? There are many bits to this movie, and I enjoyed every moment. I was surprised I enjoyed this one so much. Acacia (Korea) The desire to have and keep a family is at the heart of Acacia. Mi-sook and Do-il want a child, and they resort to adoption like many other infertile couples. Mi-sook is fascinated by the 6-year-old Jin-sung because of his artistic abilities. He is adopted and despite his attraction to an acacia tree in their yard all is well--at least until Mi-sook becomes pregnant. The mother soon becomes disinterested in her first son in favor of her new baby. Don't be fooled--this is very much a supernatural tale. The film invites and relishes in the confusion it creates and the ending really pays off. It is a quiet and surprising little film, well worth exploring. Koma (Hong Kong) You've heard the urban legend. Once upon a time a person wakes up after a long night of partying in a bathtub full of ice with an incision on their abdomen and a note to call an ambulance immediately. It is this premise on which Koma begins. Ching is a rich girl who lives a falsely important life. She identifies Ling as a suspect for the crime. She believes Ling to be evil and capable of much violence. As it turns out, nothing is as it seems and the fateful kidney-stealer soon is uncovered--and it isn't who you expected. I love that Koma is a surprising, fast moving, and generally fun movie. It is one of the most immediately effective Asian horror films I've seen. Of course maybe I identify with Ching's physical weakness. Regardless, it is good stuff. Wishing Stairs (Yeogo goedam 3: Yeowoo gyedan, Korea) The third title in the Whispering Corridors series, Wishing Stairs is also the most interesting. It is set in an all-girls high school. Outside the school there is a set of twenty-eight steps. As the story goes, if you climb the stairs and count aloud lucky souls will be granted a twenty-ninth step and a wish. This is precisely what happens to Yun Ji-seong. She wishes to be admitted to a prestigious ballet conservatory. Unfortunately, her wish comes at the price of her best friend Kim So-hie's life. Soon Yun Ji-seong meets a strange girl who changes everything. And by "everything" I do mean sanity is at stake. Wishing Stairs is very interesting and surpasses the prior films. A Tale of Two Sisters (Janghwa, Hongryeon, Korea) This very twisted gem is currently getting the Hollywood treatment. A Tale of Two Sisters is the story of Su-mi. She is an unhappy girl. She is particularly disturbed by her unsympathetic stepmother. She and her sister Su-yeon believe that she is up to no good. As it turns out, there is something else very different going on. People are not who they seem, memories are not what they seem, and events are not what they seem. This is a story that tricks the viewer into believing exactly what Su-mi believes. The real cool bit is when we discouver what is really going on in A Tale of Two Sisters. It remains to be seen how the story will translate to American audiences on the big screen. Sympathy for Mr. Vengeance (Korea) I hesitate to call this one horror, but since so many people think Oldboy (a sequel to Sympathy for Mr. Vengeance) is horror then I must. Ryu can't speak and can't hear. He is desperate to save his ailing sister's life. She needs a kidney immediately. Life isn't going well for him, and his desperation only leads him to bad people who make it even worse. Kidnapping, gore, murder, and vengeance are spread throughout this surprisingly lovely movie. Despite the extreme despair I'm really moved by the material. You root for Ryu and his girlfriend Dong-jin despite the fact that their schemes are doomed. Vengeance is a common theme in Asian horror and Sympathy for Mr. Vengeance is easily my favorite example. This is only a guide to some movies that shouldn't be missed if you are fan of Asian horror. There are other titles out there worth exploring and I hope viewers find they own favorites. I would also expect that American directors will remake some of the lesser-known stories in the future. Enjoy yourself. I know I did.  |
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