Whilst Asian film-makers have revitalised genre cinema over the past few decades, the plaudits are usually bestowed upon Japan. The economic boom in Korea led to the resurgence of its national cinema industry around the turn of the century. This sparked a thriving market for horror films, the most notable being Whispering Corridors (and its sequels), The Host, A Tale of Two Sisters and R Point. In his new film, The Mimic, Huh Jung takes a traditional legend and spins it into a very modern tale of terror.
It has been five years since their son went missing, but Hee-yeon (Yum Jung-ah) is still struggling to come to terms with the loss. Due to his mother’s ill-health, her husband (Park Hyuk-kwon) decides to move the family, including their young daughter (Bang Yu-seol), to the countryside. Whilst out walking in the forest, Hee-yeon discovers a little lost girl (Shin Rin-ah) and decides to ‘adopt’ her. However, when a number of strange things start happening in their house, they begin to suspect that something might be awry.
Inspired by the legend of the Jangsan Tiger, a mythical man-eating creature which roams around a mountain in Busan, The Mimic is South Korea’s most successful domestic horror for four years. It’s not hard to see why. Huh Jung mixes myth with grief to produce a slick, stylish and superior slice of Asian horror. Yum Jung-ah impresses in the lead role, whilst events feel all too worryingly plausible. The Mimic is a welcome return to form for Korean genre cinema and will hopefully spark another resurgence.
The Mimic is released on DVD by Arrow Films on 19 February.
[…] Evaluations:“The Mimic is South Korea’s most profitable home horror for 4 years. It’s not exhausting to see why. Huh Jung mixes delusion with grief to supply a slick, trendy and superior slice of Asian horror. Yum Jung-ah impresses within the lead function, while occasions really feel all too worryingly believable.” Backseat Mafia […]
[…] 코멘트:“전통 국내 공포영화 4년 만에 최고 흥행작이다. 이유를 찾는 것은 어렵지 않습니다. 허정은 신화와 슬픔을 혼합하여 아시아 공포의 매혹적이고 우아한 조각을 만들어냅니다. 염정아가 주연을 맡은 게 인상적이고 사건이 기가 막힐 정도로 그럴듯하다”고 말했다. 뒷좌석 마피아 […]
[…] レビュー：「「ミミック 韓国で4年間で最も成功した国内ホラーです。 理由を理解するのは難しいことではありません。 Huh Jungは神話と悲しみを混ぜ合わせて、アジアンホラーの滑らかでスタイリッシュで優れたスライスを生み出します。 ヨム・ジョンアは主役に感銘を与えますが、イベントは非常に心配そうにもっともらしいと感じています。」 後部座席マフィア […]