Asia Humid uneasiness and impending ferocity
Asian horror has grown into a major genre, with films such as "Train to Busan," "The Wailing," and "The Curse."
In contrast to Hollywood's attraction-style horror, it is characterized by a dark, eerie, and damp tone in which a quiet, demonic aura of abnormality creeps up on you, and it often uses the exclusive, closed-off "indigenous" feeling linked to local customs, legends, and beliefs (or curses) represented by local gods as a device or motif to create fear. "The Wailing" and "The Goddess's Succession" are good examples, depicting different stories with different nuances based on the same priest.
Director: Na Hong-jin / 2016 / A series of brutal murders of families by villagers in the countryside. A police officer begins investigating, and strange incidents occur frequently around him. Kunimura Jun's bizarre performance as a mysterious outsider is a highlight.
Director: Banjong Pisanthanakoon / Original Story and Producer: Na Hongjin / 2021 / Set in a mountain village in Thailand, this film depicts the confrontation between a shaman and an evil spirit. One day, a woman begins to behave strangely. Behind this is a curse rooted in the land... The mockumentary format evokes realistic fear.
In South Korea, the huge success of "Train to Busan" and "The Wailing" has ushered in a zombie boom. Following the zombie historical drama "Kingdom" and the school drama "Our School Now...", the variety show "Zombieverse" has even been born. Meanwhile, Taiwan has emerged as a country that mass-produces hit horror films. They consistently produce popular works, such as the "Girl in Scarlet" series, "Detention," "The Sadness," and "Curse."
Director: Chen Wei-hao / 2015 / The first chapter of the film that is said to have sparked the Taiwanese horror boom. Based on a mysterious incident that occurred in the 1990s, the film explores the mysterious "Girl in Red."
Director: John Su / 2019 / Based on a popular game. This film depicts high school students trapped in a school in Taiwan under a dictatorship. It won five awards at the Golden Horse Awards, Taiwan's equivalent of the Oscars. Now streaming on U-NEXT.
Director: Rob Jabbas / 2021 / A virus that makes humans violent spreads. What will become of the man and woman who are trying to reunite in a world that has turned into a hellish scene? The extreme gore depicted in this R18+ film is a sight to behold.
In Indonesia, "The Curse of the Devil" was a huge hit in 2022, and in recent years, films such as "The Curse of Mother" and "It Lives Inside," featuring Korean and Indian-American protagonists, have appeared in the United States. The Asian horror boom is still expanding.
nordic A cold horror nesting in a beautiful world
When we think of Scandinavia, we tend to think of countries with abundant nature, modern design, generous welfare, and a high level of happiness. However, the cold climate also causes many people to suffer from mental illness, and there are also economic disparities and immigration issues. "Nordic horror" could be said to be an expression of the darkness lurking behind this seemingly beautiful world.
"The Innocents" is a story about children using their supernatural powers to commit brutal acts, but in the background it also deals with the anxieties of immigrants and children from broken homes. "Hatching" uses a strange being to reflect the mind of a girl struggling with her view of family.
Director: Eskil Vogt / 2021 / Children awaken to psychic powers in a quiet apartment complex. The director, who co-wrote the Oscar-nominated film "I Am the Worst," openly stated that he was influenced by Katsuhiro Otomo's manga "Domu." The chilly atmosphere of the apartment complex and childlike violence are striking.
Director: Hanna Bergholm / 2021 / A creature horror film in which a young girl's anxieties are embodied as eerie creatures. A typical Nordic horror film in which the humans are clearly creepier than the strange creatures.
Another feature is the depiction of indigenous spirits and fairies as familiar presences. "Border" is a modern fairy tale in which the protagonist, with his unique appearance and abilities, learns a shocking truth about his origins. "LAMB" is a disturbing fantasy that revolves around a half-human, half-sheep child. Furthermore, ruthless cruelty is also an important feature.
Director: Ali Abbasi / 2018 / A fantastical and vivid depiction of the theme of crossing all boundaries. 5,280 yen (BD). Released by: Kino Films/Kinoshita Group. Distributed by: Happinet.
Director: Valdimir Johansson / 2021 / A couple is blessed with a child with the face of a sheep. The everyday and the supernatural are seamlessly intertwined. Amidst the unsettling atmosphere, there is even a mythical, grandiose atmosphere.
In "Let the Right One In," a coming-of-age tale intertwines with a brutal serial murder. While not strictly speaking a Nordic horror film, "Midsommar," by horror's rising star Ari Aster, is a brutal cult horror that exploits the image of Scandinavia. It has also been reported that he will produce the next film from the director of the highly anticipated film "Sick of Myself," which was released in Japan in the fall of 2023. Nordic horror may be dark, but the future looks bright.
Director: Tomas Alfredson / 2008 / A lyrical work in which a coming-of-age film and a gruesome serial murder are layered like cold snow. This is the breakthrough work for director and cinematographer Hoyte van Hoytema.
