Once upon a time, I stumbled upon a horror film that promised to send shivers down my spine. Intrigued by the premise, I eagerly sat down to watch, hoping for a thrilling experience. Little did I know that what awaited me would be a rollercoaster of emotions, leaving me both impressed and utterly disappointed.
Let's start with the positives. The acting in this film was undeniably its shining glory. Sung Dong Il, in particular, brought a level of terror to his role that genuinely frightened me....
I found myself on the edge of my seat during his scene in Hyun Joo's bedroom, not just because of the jump scare music, but because of the unsettling expression he wore. The other actors, such as Choi Myung Goo and Jo Yi Hyun, delivered equally strong performances that left my skin crawling. And let's not forget Kim Kang Hoon, who seems to be on a winning streak with his recent projects.
Moving on to the technical aspects, the cinematography was commendable. The scenes were skillfully shot, creating an eerie atmosphere that added to the overall experience. While the CGI wasn't exceptional, it wasn't below par either. The costumes and props were well-executed, adding authenticity to the world of the film.
Now, let's delve into the aspects that left me disheartened. The plot, at its core, had the potential to be a great horror concept. However, it was riddled with plot holes and unexplained occurrences that ultimately turned me off. The notion of a demon with the ability to shape-shift into humans, possess them, levitate objects, spew blood, and manipulate people's relationships felt like an amalgamation of various supernatural entities. The demon even possessed the knowledge of crosses and could mimic an exorcism flawlessly. However, its eventual demise on a cross left me confused and questioning the consistency of the story. Additionally, the elder daughter being accused of being the demon by an experienced priest seemed illogical, considering the demon's ability to assume any form. It rendered the accusation unnecessary and ineffective.
The arrival of other priests from Manila also seemed like a pointless venture, as their fates mirrored that of flies attracted to a flame. The predictability of Jong Su ultimately performing the exorcism was disappointing, further diminishing the impact of the climax. However, the most egregious flaw in the film was the blatant disregard for a daughter who was roasted alive in the basement. The lack of concern from her family, the absence of a search, and the nonchalant reaction upon her discovery left a bitter taste in my mouth.
Sadly, the CGI suffered from occasional lapses in quality. The cracks on the car after the encounter with crows and Jong Su's distorted, mask-like face post-possession were jarring to witness. These instances detracted from the overall experience and, quite frankly, deterred me.
Lastly, the beginning and ending of the film left much to be desired. The exposition surrounding the family's decision to move into a new house was hastily offered in a few snippets of dialogue during a car ride. I longed for a deeper exploration of how Jung Su's actions had affected each family member. A few well-placed flashbacks could have sufficed in highlighting their emotional turmoil. Moreover, the final ten minutes felt predictable and tedious. The film fell into the traps of cliches, with a possessed girl displaying exaggerated and overused horror tropes that failed to surprise or captivate me.
In conclusion, this horror film had its merits, particularly in the realm of acting and cinematography. However, the weaknesses in the plot, CGI, and execution of the beginning and ending overshadowed these strengths. While it had the potential to be a chilling experience, it ultimately left me feeling unsatisfied and yearning for more creativity and originality.