A Tale of Two Sisters

2003, by Kim Ji-woon

This is probably the first time in the last few months I’ve had a genuine scare from a horror movie. Ji-woon defines the limitations of the frame in such a way that I am instinctively more frightened by the possibility of what lies outside the frame of the camera than what lies inside. What lies inside is, too, quite scary. The story revolves around two sisters who return to their stepmother’s house after a prolonged absence, and the haunting of that house which occurs after they arrive. Spectacular in its use of twists and surprises, I recommend watching this film in the dark for maximum effect. Feel free to speculate all you want: I’m fairly sure you won’t be able to guess the ending or even understand it during the reveal.

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