Epitaph

...But if you do watch it anyway, you won't be disappointed. Just don't expect an all-out horror film; there's lots of drama and love story in this one too. Yes, the story is a little jumbled because of its non-linearity, but if you have the patience, this movie is worth it.

Parts of this film reminded me of The Cell, which is not a bad thing at all. The surrealistic imagery is successful, and even though it was hard to follow, the stories were entertaining.

In conclusion, this movie requires patience, and it is a little hard to follow, but if you keep with it, the interesting story elements will entertain you.

7 from me.

This movie is heavily structured (we have three subplots that revolves around different types of hauntings) but, imho, uselessly so. The three stories are pretty straightforward per se but the historical setting, the impeccable aesthetic and slow pacing give an impression of complexity. It is a good a movie but I felt slightly defrauded when it ended because the story was really just that.

A traumatized girl sees visions of her dead mother in one of three tales set in a 1942 South Korean hospital.

My thoughts: Epitaph stands out as a Korean horror film that trades jump scares for a lingering sense of dread. The story drifts between characters and timelines, sometimes feeling disjointed at first, but it eventually ties everything together in a way that pays off if you stick with it. Each segment taps into ghost stories that explore grief, regret, and the scars of the past, turning supernatural moments into something poetic rather than just frightening.

Visually, this film is something to see. The shadowy hospital corridors and period details pull you into its unnerving atmosphere. Instead of quick scares, the camera settles on images and movement that slowly build tension, making you feel uneasy without having to shout for your attention. This is definitely a slow-burner, so if you're after constant action, it might test your patience, but the payoff is how immersive and memorable the world feels.

What really makes Epitaph memorable is the way it uses its anthology format to show how the living and the dead remain connected. The ghosts here act as reflections of loss and unresolved pain rather than standard threats, and the historical setting adds an extra layer of mood and meaning without ever dragging the story down. If you want atmospheric, reflective horror with real substance, especially if you're a fan of the director's later work on Gonjiam: Haunted Asylum, this one is absolutely worth checking out.

Review written by artist jayakumar jrain.

What seemed like a promise and at least original turns out be dull and very confusing. Now you could say that it takes time to appreciate the story and the construction of this story. But i do think that if that is the case that the story has to be interesting and entertaining. "Epitaph" just isn't. Sure there are some creepy scenes and there seems to be some atmosphere that could have made this movie into a genuine horror classic. The problem is that the story (3 different stories) is not that complicated but because of it's construct doesn't make sense at all. Only if you have the patience to sit through the movie you will get some clarification at the end. What is the purpose of telling the story like this. Is there really more to it? Is there a depth never seen before in a movie? Answer:NO! It just tries hard to conceal it's flaws and in the process have the appearance of sophistication. And believe me that it is pretty flawed. I couldn't tell you if the actors are any good. There are only brief moments of conversations between characters that were conventional but not enough for me to care about any of the characters. Overall this horror isn't scary. And it doesn't offer drama that touches me or is a least bit interesting. Not for me!

One of the two or three most beautiful ghost story movies ever made, and probably the most complex. The 6.3 on IMDb is driven by people who don't seem to understand this movie.

A very general spoiler ahead.

It took three viewings, including two back-to-back on the same night, for me to really understand what was going on across the three interrelated stories which constitute the plot of this movie. I finally figured out that there are three types of ghost stories unfolding within Epitaph. One involves ghosts which are actually nightmares (as in dreams) brought on by guilt. Another involves ghosts which are schizophrenic delusions brought on by (seemingly literal) soul-crushing grief. And the third is an actual supernatural ghost story. This combination is brilliant, and I don't think any movie before or since has attempted anything like it.

As a movie, Epitaph is creepy in parts, scary in parts, and poignant throughout. It also consists of countless beautifully composed shots, accentuated by gorgeous lighting, imaginative editing, and a beautiful score (which twice includes a somewhat jarring if fitting Bernard Hermann homage). Thematically, it is steeped in grief, guilt, the human yearning for love and companionship, all set within a rich historical context.

I can't say enough about Epitaph. This movie is egregiously underrated and overlooked in world cinema, especially by ghost story aficionados. It should be at or near the very top of every list of best filmed ghost stories.