Ogsuyeog Gwisin / The Ghost Station (2022) - Connecting Every Single Outstanding Element of Classic Asian Horror Cinema with Promising New Faces - 9/10 (12/03/24)

The Ghost Station, originally known as Ogsuyeog Gwisin, is a short and concise South-Korean horror film that entertains from start to finish as it pays tribute to Japanese horror movies from the late nineties and early years of the new millennium. If you are a fan of films such as The Ring, Dark Water and Marebito, then you are going to be enjoying The Ghost Station for sure. If you like this new film but aren't familiar with these Japanese horror films yet, then there are many outstanding feature films for you to discover and enjoy.

To keep it simple, this movie tells the story of a nervous male security agent and an ambitious female journalist who are investigating a series of mysterious events related to an abandoned train station.

This film convinces on numerous levels. Its length is concise, focused and precise without any passages dragging on for much too long or completely unnecessary scenes.

The film's gloomy, mysterious and uneasy atmosphere is sustained from start to finish which leads to an excellent exposition, a tense rising action, an exciting climax, a breathtaking falling action and a memorable resolution.

The realistic locations with a sinister touch add a realistic tone to the horror film which makes it chilling, creepy and tense.

Instead of revolving around overtly brutal scenes or unimaginative jump scares, the film cleverly builds up a haunting atmosphere that gets almost unbearable by the end of the film.

This movie however also focuses on character development as the two lead characters are authentic, courageous and sympathetic as they care about important values such as honesty, justice and truth. The side characters are also fleshed out wonderfully such as the traumatized lady bringing the terrible past to light and the journalist's manipulative, nihilistic and selfish boss.

The acting performances are certainly above average throughout with promising newcomer Kim Na-yoon delivering the goods as pitiless villainess and seasoned actress Shin So-yul incarnating a traumatized woman with a haunting background story.

The varied, dynamic and creative camera work throughout the movie transmits an claustrophobic, dark and eerie atmosphere.

Lighting techniques are used very cleverly to enhance these strong emotions. The combination of lights and shades makes for a balanced mixture intertwining investigate scenes with horrifying highlights. The lighting techniques are at times foreboding but may also lead viewers down a wrong path on certain occasions. The technicians behind this film certainly deserve much approval and recognition.

The varied sound effects blend in perfectly. They are perfectly balanced between calmer sections and louder moments. The former evoke a sinister atmosphere while the latter will bring viewers onto the edges of their seats.

The somber soundtrack makes the bigger picture even more convincing. Rather than showing off or being unnecessarily experimental, the music employed in this feature film precisely enhances the atmospheres of the different scenes. Dark elements of foreshadowing employ an elegiac score while the film's intense moments feature a much more unnerving soundtrack.

The fact that numerous surprisingly harsh critics claim that the plot isn't original is actually the whole purpose of this film since it pays tribute to the classics released two to three decades ago by now. Genre fans will certainly appreciate spotting references, easter eggs and allusions here and there as these elements also add to the replay value of this underrated gem. Instead of nervously innovating, this film brings the aforementioned classics back to life in a refreshing way that feels dynamic rather than nostalgic.

As a seasoned fan of Asian horror cinema, I hold The Ghost Station in high regard as it includes every single element that make this genre stand out so positively while adding fresh new faces in form of excellent actors and actresses. The number of Asian horror films has steadily been decreasing in the past few years and I hope that movies such as The Ghost Station will inspire a return of this dearly appreciated cinematic universe.