The new horror film The Grudge is set to hit theaters soon and what better way to get ready for this terrifying film than to look back at some of Asia’s finest in the genre. The Grudge (2020) is connected to The Grudge (2004), and is considered a ‘sidequel’ where the movie’s events coincide with those of the 2004 remake.
Horror films out of Asia never seem to pull any punches and always offer fans an eerie sense of dread, no matter the subject matter. The list below features 10 must-see horrors from a variety of sub-genres that include the supernatural, serial killer, monster, and even comedy-horror - all of which will give the viewer a frightening, yet entertaining education in Asian horror cinema.
Ju-On: The Grudge (2002) / The Grudge (2004)
It seems fitting to start this list with the film that kicked off the world’s love affair with The Grudge franchise, with none other than Japanese director Takashi Shimizu’s, Ju-On, and its 2004 English-language remake, also directed by Shimizu and starring Sarah Michelle Gellar, Clea DuVall, and Bill Pullman.
The films follow the story of the inhabitants of a cursed house that harbors a vindictive spirit, out to haunt anyone that sets foot in it. Shimizu’s original is a must-watch if you love your horror films ultra-creepy and nightmare-inducing and is the definitive version of this franchise. If you prefer your movies in the English language, then 2004’s remake gets super-close in replicating the original’s frightfulness.
A Tale of Two Sisters (2003)
Two sisters return home to their unbalanced family after spending some time in a mental hospital - if that doesn’t make you feel uncomfortable already then throw a ghost in the mix for good measure. This creepy psychological family-themed horror-thriller out of South Korea is one that will require your undivided attention, as it often asks you to question everything you see in front of you.
The horror in this film is unsettling and never lets up on its eerie vibe. The narrative is almost dream-like in some parts and it offers one of the more visceral viewing experiences of any film on this list, with a twisty climax that will stay with you long after the credits roll.
I Saw the Devil (2010)
Acclaimed director Kim Jee-woon (who also directed A Tale of Two Sisters) tackles the serial killer theme in I Saw the Devil, a film that follows a vengeful secret agent out to find a reclusive serial killer after his fiancé is found dead. The agent must become as monstrous as the man he is chasing in order to get results.
While this is more of a thriller than a classic horror, there are enough horrific elements in I Saw the Devil that qualify it for a spot on this list. The film is dark, disturbing, ultra-violent, and filled with dread - all elements that make for a great horror-thriller.
Killers (2014)
Killers is a disturbing Japanese/Indonesian serial killer film that follows two serial killers, one from Japan and one from Jakarta, who each post their murders online and try to one-up each other with each consecutive kill. Eventually, the twisted bond between the men draws them together and will see them face off against one another.
Indonesian horror maestro’s The Mo Brothers are at the helm here and they once again deliver a gruesome, upsetting and violent horror-thriller film. The film’s suspenseful tone keeps its viewers on edge the whole time as it builds to a bloody conclusion.
Cure (1997)
This classic Japanese horror-mystery film follows a detective attempting to solve a series of gruesome murders committed by people who can’t remember their cruel deed. We soon discover that their violent acts were suggested to them by a mysterious figure, who makes cracking this case that much harder after getting into the detective’s head.
Cure is another prominent Asian film to add to the serial killer sub-genre of horror and is one that keeps audiences guessing as a sense of unease slowly builds within them. The scariest part about this film is the idea that susceptible people can be turned into violent killers through the power of suggestion.
The Host (2006)
A film that appears on a lot of top 10 South Korean movie lists, Bong Joon Ho’s The Host is South Korea’s answer to a Hollywood monster movie. The Host follows a family as it attempts to rescue their daughter from the clutches of a monster that’s appeared from the depths of the Han River in Seoul. The family doesn’t own much, but their determination and love will bind them together down this dangerous and potentially deadly path.
The Host isn’t your run-of-the-mill monster movie, as anyone familiar with the Parasite director’s work knows that his films contain an abundance of humor, mixed in with the right amount of horror, and underlying themes that often include the contrast between social classes and family dynamics. This film has it all.
Thirst (2009)
South Korean auteur Park Chan-wook’s Thirst is a unique entry into vampire horror. It follows a priest who succumbs to a virus that turns him into the popular mythical creature as he’s forced to change his holy ways and battle his literal, newly found inner demons.
Thirst focuses on the internal conflict of a newly formed vampire (played by South Korea’s favorite everyman actor, Song Kang-ho) who’s struggling to cope with his newfound desire for blood. The film is part horror, part black comedy, and part love story, and even though there’s plenty of murder involved in the narrative, the film’s protagonist is one that you can easily empathize with.
Three… Extremes (2004)
Three of Asia’s most respected directors in China’s Fruit Chan, Japan’s Takashi Miike, and South Korea’s Park Chan-wook unite to create three short, disturbing films in Three… Extremes. Each 40-minute film features a wildly different horror tale, each creepier than the last.
Three… Extremes makes for a great introduction into Asian horror cinema, featuring some of the best directors of the genre. The difference in styles between the three countries is evident in these short films, allowing the viewer the opportunity to see which country’s movies they may like to see more of. It’ll be a hard choice to make, as all of these short films are outstanding.
The Wailing (2016)
A small South Korean town is plagued by death after a mysterious illness breaks out. On the case is the town’s bumbling police officer who’s been tipped off about a mysterious Japanese stranger living in the woods, who may be responsible for the outbreak. The police officer begins to unravel some dark truths about the stranger with some terrifying consequences.
The beauty of Na Hong-jin’s The Wailing is that it subverts expectations and catches viewers off guard. The film is equal parts comedy, mystery, and horror, as we begin our journey with the foolish police officer with a sense of comfort. While everything starts off humorous, it’s not long before we begin to feel something dreadful is about to unfold, and to no one’s surprise - it does, and when it hits, it hits hard.
One Cut of the Dead (2017)
Now that we’ve seen some of the best dark and depraved horror films to come out of Asia, why not lighten the mood with the Japanese gem, One Cut of the Dead? It follows a film crew trying to shoot a single-take zombie horror movie when they become overrun by actual zombies and have to fight for survival. Naturally, the cameras keep rolling.
One Cut of the Dead is a delightful horror-comedy film that pays homage to the craft of filmmaking and the zombie sub-genre of horror. The highlight of the film is the overly animated characters, all of whom seem like they’ve been pulled straight out of a Japanese anime. It’s their enthusiasm as well as the clever structure of the film that hooks audiences, taking them on one of the most entertaining horror-comedy rides of late.
