The Ghost (aka: Ryeong) — movie review
The state of the contemporary Asian horror film is something like that of 80’s slasher these days. Following some truly brilliant entries (Ringu, A Tale of Two Sisters), the market has become saturated sub-par me-too ghost tales of stringy wet haired grudge holding females attacking unsuspecting members of the living (Ghost Train).
Given this climate, to say my expectations for The Ghost (aka: Ryeong, Dead Friend) were low would be an understatement. Still, something drew me to the film above the other Tartan releases. And apparently for good reason. For The Ghost is a smart and interesting supernatural tale that, while not exactly treading new ground, holds its own against its predecessors with a smart and engaging tale of supernatural mystery that actually stands up to multiple viewings.
The basic story of The Ghost sees a group of girls terrorized by what they believe to be a “water demon.” Naturally, these girls have done something to offend this drippy specter, but being the catty 
crew they are, they’re not about to tell. Enter Ji-won (Ha-Neul Kim, My Tutor Friend), an amnesiac college freshman and former leader of the aforementioned female clique. Plagued by a nagging feeling at the back of her mind, made all the more acute by the series of sudden drowning deaths amongst her former compatriots, she sets about getting to the root of the mystery: the identity of the ghost, and the events surrounding its emergence.
The Ghost doesn’t attempt to expose any greater truths about the human condition, illuminate perceived political wrongs, or anything of the sort. At best one might call it a straightforward ghost tale with a Heathers meets River’s Edge like twist. However, what makes the film so surprisingly fun is the intricate weaving of hints into its rather simple and straightforward narrative. Even the most sudden and unforseen turns, on second viewing, prove to be planned, set in motion, and alluded to well before their big reveals. It’s rare I want to go back and find exactly where the twists come into play, but for this film I found myself wanting to do exactly that.
Korean horror films more often than not look extremely polished, so I’ll skip over the points of cinematographic interest. However, the film does stand out in those of the theatric. Ha-Neul Kim does a rather remarkable job in the lead, considering her rather unremarkable turn in My Tutor Friend. Over the course of the film she demonstrates she can handle both thoughtful sweet girls and freaky bitches, courageous altruists and frightened egoists alike. It’s a far far cry from the endless smirking punching bag/sassy-style love interest she tackled before. Likewise, those that surround her prove wholly believable in their selfish rottenness. Jin Ryu provides the one black sheep of the flock, playing Ji-won’s handsome best friend who wants nothing other than to see her happy. While a stereotypical male romantic interest, he too came across as genuine.
So, in closing, I definitely recommend The Ghost. It’s smart, spooky, and wholly entertaining. And, for once, it is a film whose twists actually make sense within the overall context of the story. Check it out.
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