Kalkokkho

I have to admit I was expecting a different type of plot, more psychological less psychopath, at least from the only synopsis i've read before watching it (my bad...sorry), but even though it was a great movie, it actually reminded me of Korean thrillers... you know, the type of movies that get's your attention and you expect more. Another thing that i liked was the color/camera approach... it blended correctly with the music, a peculiar old obscure environment where it should be. I would give this more if part of the plot wasn't obvious at some points, but was good most of it. Also after reading that this is a work from a new pair of director's then i just can't wait to see more of their work! Also i really liked the main actress performance and the great make up they did on her.

I have to admit, that when I saw where this was going (you can spot the signs early on), I wasn't expecting to like this as much as I did in the end. Predictability aside, this is very well acted. It's graphic at times (with the violence), but it's what it does in your head, that is most effective.

If you do love horror movies in general, then this might be one for you, otherwise the drama aspect of it, might not be enough to keep you interested. I do think they mix it up in a nice fashion, acting contributing and elevating a sort foreseeable outcome or at least direction this is heading.

If like me, you're a fan of suspense, and love a movie packed with tension, then this one will tick a lot of boxes for you. It's very dark, at times a little grim, and I guess on occasion you'll need to suspend belief, but it's gripping, very cleverly crafted, edge of the seat viewing. The film felt very different to other horror/thrillers I've seen recently, there was a fair bit of originality to it.

The first half of the film was somewhat moderate, built up tension, some moments where you watch and literally can't breathe. The second half of the film trebles the tension, at times the tension is almost unbearable, it was expertly done.

After being brought to a mysterious house, a doctor finds himself held captive by three women who require him to treat the eldest of the group, but regardless of his attempts he keeps repeating the day forcing him to find the reason why in order to save the family and leave alive.

Overall, the film has quite a lot going for it. One of the strongest factors is the rather intriguing setup that ties together numerous topical details into a mysterious and engaging narrative. The recent issues with the pandemic are employed front and center here with the household quarantined off, regularly being shown masking or taking hygienic precautions, and being filled with warnings about the dangers of going outside around others. These beats provide a necessary setup to showcase the plight of those stuck in their homes during the pandemic and forced to go through untold trials and tribulations to remain safe while also looking after loved ones. As time goes on and the more stays at the house, the hints about their relationship with each other and the outside world gradually come into focus which works quite well alongside the scattered attempts at being unnerving and terrifying. As this groundwork is being suitably laid out, this one takes the opportunity to weave a rather enjoyable air of genuine mystery and supernatural undertones throughout here. The repetition of the day where he keeps reliving the day from being awoken while still bound and tied up, going through the greetings of the day, and treating the grandmother becomes quite chilling as they keep happening. Regardless of how he tries to break the chain, waking up in the same situation and being forced to go through the same thing is a highly off-putting concept that's rife with psychological terror. When added together with the real-world implications of what's going on, the despair and depression that arises while in the midst of this situation offer a generally effective atmosphere that generates plenty to like about it. There are some drawbacks to bringing the film down. The biggest detriment here is the drama-heavy approach to the material that forces us to rely on the bizarre situation to generate its thrills. That so much of the first half here is built around how he gets brought into the family dynamic and forced to treat the ill grandmother only to be confronted with the generally otherworldly relationship that takes place between the women which are supposed to be the main driving point of the scares comes off underwhelming instead. The idea of calling each other the same name and repeating scenes from before works well enough at first but that only goes so far in building a genuinely unnerving atmosphere before it all comes off repetitive. That also comes about due to the obscene length present, regularly repeating scenes or topics so that it can build up a running time that's far too long for the type of content on display. Trimming some of that repetition down would've gone a long way to making what was already a really good film into a better one.

Rated Unrated/R: Language and traumatic themes.

Kalkokkho is a great movie with a very well developed plot and a stellar cast. It is an absolute thrill ride, from the moment we enter this house there is a tension that does not go away, it never becomes tiring. It had me at the edge of my seat from start to finish, as we quickly gain support for these thieves as they get caught up in a bad situation.

It did, on the other hand, make some cliché plot developments. There are some moments that were so typical they took me away from a movie that was clearly trying to stand out, but was clearly forced by the studio to have some predictable plot points.

The cast is phenomenal and their chemistry with one another added to the suspense. The intimacy of the film is the main thing that makes it so fresh and interesting as a thriller, if it was taking place around a city or in a town it would not be half as suspenseful as having it all take place in a house. An intense adventure, Kalkokkho is a refreshing movie that certainly stands out from the crowd, I would recommend it to anyone looking for a good thriller.