Halloween Movie Guide: International Frights
BY RAMYA CHANDRASEKARAN
Halloween may not be celebrated in many countries on October 31 but there is no dearth of creepy, spooky, or scary films to watch from around the world. Here are some suggestions from India, Korea, Japan and Spain that may pique your interest!
Mahal
1949, Directed by Kamal Amrohi, Starring Ashok Kumar and Madhubala
The title “Mahal” means ‘Mansion’. it is considered the first supernatural reincarnation thriller film in India. When a new owner comes to live in an abandoned mansion, the old gardener narrates a story of incomplete love. Mahal set the template for Indian gothic fiction and paved the way for many films in this genre. It became a box-office hit in 1949, is known for its haunting musical score and turned the leading actress, Madhubala, into a superstar overnight.
Available on YouTube and Amazon Prime
Woh Kaun Thi?
1964, Directed by Raj Khosla, Starring Manoj Kumar and Sadhana
“Woh Kaun Thi?” is the story of a young doctor obsessed with a woman who appears to him with different names and different guises, making him doubt his senses. Shot in black and white, the film employs every spooky genre device that has come to define a psychological mystery thriller. Its box-office success inspired remakes in many Indian languages. Its musical score and suspenseful story crossed regional boundaries making it one of the most loved Indian films.
Available on YouTube and Amazon Prime
A Tale of Two Sisters
2003, Directed by Kim Jee-woon, Starring Im Soo-jung and Moon Geun-young
This is a Korean horror classic based on a popular Korean folktale with an unexpected plot twist. It made history by becoming one of highest grossing Korean horror films. It was also the first to release in U.S theaters. Pretty cool, right? The story is based on a Korean folktale about two sisters. Su-mi is released from a mental asylum and returns home to her little sister, her father and her cruel stepmother. Supernatural events lead to a tragic turn which will horrify you. Korean films are known for the depth of its characters and relationships and don’t shy away from showing the darkness of the human heart.
Dark Water
2002, Directed by Hideo Nakata, Starring Hitomi Kuroki and Rio Kanno
This chilling film follows a divorced mother who moves into a rundown apartment with her daughter and experiences supernatural occurrences which includes a mysterious water leak from the floor above. While parental love is the heart of the story, there are plenty of creepy and chilling moments to keep you on the edge of your seat.
Fun Fact: This film is based on a short story by Koji Suzuki, who also wrote The Ring novels. Hideo Nakata also directed “The Ring”!
Available on Amazon Prime and Shudder
The Orphanage
2007, Directed by J.A. Bayona, Starring Belen Reuda, Fernando Cayo, and Roger Princep
In this Spanish film, a woman brings her son to an abandoned orphanage where she grew up. When she reopens the orphanage, he starts making some scary new friends. Atmospheric, intense and unpredictable, it was one of the most successful Spanish films to crossover. It is credited for its lack of “cheap scares” to make a point.
