The Ghost Station

"The Ghost Station" (2022), also known as "Oksu Station Ghost," is a South Korean horror film that delves into the eerie and unsettling mysteries lurking beneath the surface of an ordinary subway station. It effectively blends urban legends with classic horror tropes, creating a chilling atmosphere that resonates with viewers. Here's a deeper look into the film: Core Narrative and Themes: * Urban Horror: * The film taps into the inherent anxieties associated with urban environments, particularly the often-crowded and anonymous spaces of public transportation. Subway stations, with their underground depths and constant flow of people, become breeding grounds for fear and speculation.

* It utilizes the concept of a haunted location, a staple of horror, and places it within a modern, relatable setting. This makes the horror feel more immediate and plausible.

* Investigative Mystery: * The narrative follows a reporter and a public service worker who are drawn into investigating strange occurrences at Oksu Station.

* Their pursuit of the truth unravels a dark history and a sinister presence, driving the suspense and revealing the film's deeper layers.

* Supernatural Elements: * The film incorporates supernatural elements, including ghostly apparitions and unexplained phenomena, to create a sense of dread.

* It draws inspiration from J-horror, with its emphasis on unsettling imagery and psychological horror, contributing to the film's overall effectiveness.

Key Aspects: * Atmosphere and Tension: * "The Ghost Station" excels at building a tense and unsettling atmosphere. The film uses lighting, sound design, and camera work to create a sense of unease and dread.

* The confined spaces of the subway station contribute to the feeling of claustrophobia and vulnerability.

* Story Origins: * The movie is adapted from a webtoon, which is a popular form of digital comic in South Korea. This gives the movie a good foundation in a pre existing story.

* Influences: * It is noted that the movie has strong influences from Japanese horror films. This is something that many viewers pick up on, and can be seen in the style of the ghostly apparitions, and the general feeling of dread.

Overall Impact: * "The Ghost Station" provides a solid and entertaining horror experience. Its ability to blend urban legends with classic horror elements makes it appealing to a wide audience.

* It is a good representation of modern south korean horror.

* While it may not break new ground in the horror genre, it delivers a satisfying dose of scares and suspense.

In essence, "The Ghost Station" is a well-crafted horror film that effectively utilizes its setting and narrative to create a chilling and memorable experience.

The plot, the horror, the soundtracks, the jump scares, the acting - everything in the quality of the movie is absolutely horrible. Even if everything was not absolutely horrible, there's still nothing good about this movie. This movie also looks like a super low-tier movie; you can feel it from the first scene of the movie. Goddamn.

But above all, the most absolutely terrible aspect is the jump scares. Like, goddamn. I'd understand if the other factors were terrible because of their budget or something. But the jump scare factor is the worst. There isn't a single creative or original idea in this movie. Even if you can't find an idea on how to be creative with a jump scare, at least try to add some twist to it.

I only watched this movie by coincidence because the movie I originally wanted to watch with my family had a corrupted file. I would not recommend this.

I wanted to really like this film and if it has been released a good decade or so earlier I probably would have, but as it stands, this is a by-the-numbers ghost story that's not at all shocking or surprising (unless of course you've just missed out on most Japanese and Korean ghost story films). This being said, the film does look great with the strong cinematography and the performances are quite good, but doesn't always save the film. With a short runtime it is an easy time waster, but you'll have easily forgotten it once the end credits roll. This film is really for the Asian ghost story fans.

A straight to VOD South Korean horror film with cheap-ish production quality and noticeable amateurism. Kim Bo Ra carried the whole movie (flaws and all) and I don't have many complaints about the cast, they all performed decently. Lots of Japanese horror influence from start to finish.

A straight to VOD South Korean horror film with cheap-ish production quality and noticeable amateurism. Kim Bo Ra carried the whole movie (flaws and all) and I don't have many complaints about the cast, they all performed decently. Lots of Japanese horror influence from start to finish.

A straight to VOD South Korean horror film with cheap-ish production quality and noticeable amateurism. Kim Bo Ra carried the whole movie (flaws and all) and I don't have many complaints about the cast, they all performed decently. Lots of Japanese horror influence from start to finish.

Once upon a time, this film had potential to captivate the hearts of genre enthusiasts. However, it falls short of its mark as its mediocre execution leaves much to be desired. The cinematography lacks finesse, with primitive shots that fail to capture the essence of the scenes. Additionally, the plot is passable at best and does not hold a lasting impression. The color palette, while aimed at reflecting the atmosphere, feels clumsily chosen and tends to irritate rather than enhance the viewing experience.

From the directing to the performances, everything feels average, lacking the depth and nuance that would make it truly noteworthy. To endure this film requires an exceptional amount of patience. Yet, amidst the sea of mediocrity, there is a single scene that manages to shine. The interaction between the heroine and what she believes to be a ghost creates a captivating moment, showcasing a glimmer of potential. However, the director fails to capitalize on this cinematic technique, instead focusing on the simplistic and unrealistic portrayal of children's ghosts emerging from the ground.

These bizarre events are loosely tied together, leaving viewers perplexed and searching for a stronger narrative thread.