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.

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.

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.

Epitaph is one of those films that can very easily disappoint you when you first watch it. Especially if you expect a Ringu type flick. True, it's beautiful visually, but the storytelling is so complex that it makes you feel that either the directors - and the writer- have lost control over their material, or that you're missing something crucial. Actually, the later is the key. Cause Epitaph is not just a creepy horror flick. It's a beautiful film about LOVE. Love through and beyond life and death. Love is the common theme that connects all those perplexed stories and scenes. Having that in mind, I decided to watch it again and I must say, this time I though I was watching a totally different movie. So, my suggestion to you is this. If you're looking for a clean K-horror flick with ghosts and all the classic Ringu themes, don't watch this one. You'll be very disappointed. However, if you're interested in something more that that, give Epitaph a chance. It may not be the best one out there, but it surely has quite a lot of things to tell you.

I'd like to start off and say that this is a beautifully cinematic film. Even without the horror element, you can just admire this movie for what it is, simply beautiful. It does an amazing job at combining the horror element with the artistic shots. With both of these working together creates a truly terrifying experience that you can't take your eyes from. I like to call it a "pretty nightmare".

The movie will be very confusing if you're not paying attention because there are multiple stories happening at the same time(However, you'll most likely watch it twice). Each story seems to have its own twist that unfolds throughout the movie and finishes with a satisfying ending. This is definitely worth a watch. While it is not your typical horror movie, it is still very good and will scare you/creep you out.