Before diving into the main review, director Takashi Shimizu is best known for his famous early-2000s horror franchise, Ju-on, which impressively spanned 14 installments without significant drops in quality (excluding the latest release). I’m such a fan of Ju-on that I even used Kayako Saeki—the terrifying ghost—as my nickname. Although Kayako was visually disturbing, the…
It’s fair to say that The Exorcist (1973) is the pinnacle of horror films in the possession-supernatural genre. Even today, few films can rival its impact. With rudimentary special effects and makeup far less advanced than modern standards, the film creates an eerie atmosphere without relying on jump scares. Over its two-hour runtime, the demon’s…
Hungry Ghost Diner (2023) is a Hakka-Chinese film that captures the customs of the Chinese diaspora in Malaysia. It explores the fractured relationship between a father and daughter, mended through the efforts of an uncle and the maternal grandparents. However, the film leaves many questions unanswered, often presenting events without explaining their outcomes. This can…
When Evil Lurks (2023) is a supernatural horror film from Argentina, co-produced with the United States. It delivers a sense of mystery, unease, revulsion, and tension. Unlike the typical modern horror film, it doesn’t prioritize high-stakes drama or action. Instead, it centers on the perspective of a man (the protagonist) who encounters a possessed individual…