Summary
There is no denying that South Korea has been killing it with its shows and films. Fromzombie thrillersto romance dramas, they’ve been shelling out hit after hit. However, it comes as no surprise that they’ve also made a killing with psychological horror flicks.
Compared to your run-of-the-mill spook-filled horror movies, psychological horror films are less about jumpscares and more about playing with your mind through their sinister twists and turns. Whether it’s the much-lauded The Wailing or 2020’s mind-bending Memoir of a Murderer, here are the best psychological horror movies South Korea has under its belt.
8Sleep
2023
An underrated gem, Sleep is the fantastic directorial debut of filmmaker Jason Yu and one of Parasite actor Lee Sun-kyun’s last movies. The film masterfully plays mind tricks not only on the protagonist but on the audience as well, paired with an atmosphere that sustains the story’s unsettling feeling.
The story revolves around the married couple Soo-jin and Hyun-su, who have recently welcomed a baby. Hyun-su, however, continuously sleepwalks, and in these moments of deep sleep, ends up doing increasingly disturbing things. Fearful for her life and her child’s safety, Soo-jin increasing paranoia takes a toll on her mental health, and they question whether Hyun-su’s disorder is supernatural or not.
7Call
2020
2020’s Call is a remake of the 2011 British film The Caller, and boy, did it go above and beyond. Not only is the plot and cinematography gripping, but the performances are also truly top-notch.
The film starts in 2019, through the eyes of Seo-yeon, who returns to her childhood home. She begins getting calls on the home phone from an unknown woman, only to discover that it’s from Young-sook, someone who lived in her home in 1999. The two strike a quick friendship and can help each other out due to the time gap. But things spiral out of control when Young-sook’s life takes a dark turn, resulting in an eerie, suspense-ridden rollercoaster ride.
6Memoir Of A Murderer
2017
Adapted from Kim Young-ha’s 2013 book, Diary of a Murderer, Memoir of a Murderer is agripping, nail-biting whodunnitwith a blend of the sinister that seeks to unsettle you. In a move that echoesChristopher Nolan’s Memento, the film focuses on former serial killer Byung-soo, who suffers from Alzheimer’s disease.
A string of murders start occurring around town and Byung-soo begins to wonder if he’s committing the murders, or if it’s Tae-ju, a suspicious policeman who’s dating his daughter. Due to his disease, Byung-soo questions the dependability of his memories or if he’s imagining entire events, causing you to be just as baffled as he is.
5A Tale Of Two Sisters
2003
Yet another classic, The Tale of Two Sisters isinspired by an old Korean folktaleabout two sisters who fall victim to their evil stepmother. However, in this case, the film diverges massively, with sisters Su-mi and Su-yeon seemingly trapped in an abusive home life with their stepmother, Eun-joo.
The story is told mainly through Su-mi’s perspective, who has just left a mental ward. Although she’s preoccupied with protecting her sister, Su-mi’s mental health deteriorates as she returns to the house that traumatised her in the first place. The film builds up to the grand twist very well, exploring themes of tragedy, grief and neglect, while making you wonder if the house is actually haunted or a figment of Su-mi’s imagination.
4Forgotten
Forgotten is a brilliantly acted film that blends mystery and tragedy with mind-bending twists that’ll have you gaping in horror. Throughout the film, you’ll begin to question what’s true and what isn’t, just like the main character is doing, and it’s the endless plot twists that really drive deep the horror element of the film.
The story follows Jin-seok, who, not long after moving into a new home with his family, witnesses his older brother Yoo-seok get kidnapped. Yoo-seok somehow returns, but Jin-seok begins to wonder if he is actually his brother. What follows is Jin-seok slowly beginning to question his reality, as even the people around him aren’t who they say they are.
3I Saw The Devil
2010
Featuring a star-studded cast including Lee Byung-hun and Choi Min-sik, I Saw The Devil is a sickening cat-and-mouse chase between a serial killer and an intelligence officer.
After his fiancée is murdered, Soo-hyeon manages to hunt down the killer, set a tracker on him and begin a series of torture sessions that get increasingly twisted as time goes on. The movie doesn’t pull its punches on gore and violence, with excellent cinematography and tasteful exploration of Soo-hyeon’s moral dilemma, as he gradually turns as cruel as the serial killer he’s targeting.
2The Wailing
2016
One of the most eerie psychological horrors ever created, 2016’s The Wailing was a smash hit upon release. The film is rife with symbolism, blending Korean folkloric elements with tension and suspense that stick with you from the beginning. Not only is there a sinister twist at the end, but the film also delves into human nature and how good intentions don’t always lead to good outcomes.
The movie takes place in a remote village and revolves around local policeman Jong-goo as he investigates a string of deaths caused by an unexplained illness. Soon, the danger centres on his daughter and Jong-goo doesn’t know who to trust, as both sides claim the other is the demon causing the deaths.
1Oldboy
A cult classic that has stood the test of time, Oldboy takes the meaning of ‘twist’ and elevates it to a new level. It also features an iconic hallway fight sequence that’s been an inspiration for other fight scenes. The film has a grim and sinister atmosphere and features multiple diabolical plot twists for its main character.
After Oh Dae-su is kidnapped, he is locked in a hotel room for the next 15 years, where his mental health predictably spirals. Once he’s out, Dae-su wants to look for his daughter and pin down the perpetrator, who continues taunting him over the phone. Eventually, Dae-su discoverswholocked him up andwhy,as well as the sickening revelation of a certain sushi chef’s identity.
