The Ghost Station

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.

I guess the best I can say about this film is that it isn't too bad a way to spend the time. As I mention in the title, there honestly isn't anything special that really stands out about the story or the way it's done.

I mean, it's not awful, but basically just middle of the road. The overall story is mildly interesting, the point of what is actually happening and why is not a bad concept. It's just my lowly and wretched opinion that it probably could have been done with a bit more style and a deeper, more effective atmosphere.

The acting and everything is okay, nothing terrible. And yes, there are the usual jump scares, but that is honestly just about all there is to the actual mechanics of how the story is told.

It's kind of too bad too because like I mentioned before, the overall idea is actually pretty good, and rather creepy, really. But, I almost get the impression that the filmmakers, although probably somewhat talented, didn't really seem to spend a whole lot of time or thought in putting the film together.

So, not a terrible time waster, but nothing truly deserving a glowing recommendation either...

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.

Trying to cover herself, a reporter tasked to come up with a new story after getting her magazine in trouble comes across the strange series of events surrounding a local train station, but the more she looks into it finds a powerful curse at play and band together to stop the events from spreading.

For the most part, there's a lot to like with this one. One of the more likable aspects here is the solid setup that brings about some rather intriguing elements. The opening here with the reporter getting into trouble for her report and must now find a new article to keep her job intact serves as a decent enough way to allow for the series of accidents at the specific train station to come into her life. Learning about the mysterious deaths involved at the station and the various supernatural means that get brought up as a result of the investigation causes a rather chilling sense of dread to emerge as the revelations give way to genuine supernatural beings and curses involved, making the setup here quite likable and intriguing. This interweaving storyline comes off rather well as the layers unearthed during the investigation are logically integrated with each other to provide a strong starting point. As a result, the film generates a solid series of ghostly action and encounters. The gradually unraveling mystery in the first half involving the accidents at the station, the generally unnerving repeating of unknown numbers by the afflicted workers, and the strange markings that are found on them just before their deaths offer a wholly engrossing means of integrating into the mystery to come. With the misshapen appearance resulting in deformed facial marks, glowing eyes, and a generally inhuman demeanor alerting to the fact that something is wrong with them. It gets even more obvious when this features a series of creepy and genuinely chilling encounters with the ghost children who live inside the well which offers up a fine selection of imagery to go along with the solid storyline that had been built-up. These are all enough to generate a lot of likable points here even if there are some factors with this one that drag it down. One of the main issues here is the rather messy ending that has some convoluted ideas at play that leave some gaping logic holes. The reveal of the one party involved in the conspiracy to keep the story of the ghost kids and the connection to the local orphanage a secret makes no sense when the whole film had been a chance to uncover everything from the very start. The relationships between everyone at this point in the film would've made it next to impossible to rationalize how the story gets out in the first place knowing what the end result is. Moreover, some of the reasoning makes little sense and the whole transfer of the curse is glossed over to the point of appearing to be a shock explanation for the sake of it. This is the main part of the film that's underwhelming and holds it down the most, and along with the familiar storyline and presentation to numerous other genre efforts are what generate the flaws here.

Rated Unrated/R: Violence and Language.

The plot was kinda mid, the jumpscare was so cliché and typical. Their definition of scaring is basically just cheap jumpscare of ghost get in your face.

Usually Korean horror know how to make a mindblowing twist, but this is just fairly normal and unoriginal and a rehash of a popular horror movies in a different way.

And the climax pacing is way too fast and unsatisfying, the pacing is a mess and wonky and not to mention there a lot of awkward and edgy camera angle, such as the extreme closeup of a character face in sideview. Man that was weird and somewhat uncomfortable to see.

All in all, it was mid and unsatisfying. It's like ordering a vanilla icecream, bland and way too generic. Nothing special nor breathtaking. Just simply normal.