Zensha

At first, I was scared. Then I was intrigued. By the end, I was bawling my eyes out.

This show masterfully weaves a complex concept into multiple interconnected stories without ever losing its sense of mystery or momentum. It's truly a miracle that such an ambitious project didn't collapse under its own weight, and it's even more incredible that it turned out this good.

What really sets this show apart is how much it respects its audience. Instead of spoon-feeding you, it strikes a perfect balance of depth and subtlety to keep you engaged. It demands your full attention, rewarding you with secrets revealed at just the right moments.

The acting is phenomenal, as expected from the Koreans. Even minor characters with limited screen time deliver performances more convincing than many leads from other productions. Korean actors continue to set the gold standard for acting.

The only thing I find a little lacking is the world-building. Too little is told about the realm and the role of the "guardian", making him seem more like an accessory rather than someone important. Here's hoping season 2 dives deeper into these aspects.

Overall, this is a standout series that takes risks and lands every emotional and narrative punch. I can't wait for the next season.

Consider me highly impressed. Japanese movies have come a long way to reach today's standards. This film, along with the rest of the franchise, is by no means a small-scale production, and we all know how harsh fans judge any live-action adaptations.

To be fair, most adaptations deserve their bad ratings, but this movie is highly underrated in my opinion. Apart from the main character's slightly over-the-top acting, the rest of the cast is near perfect, especially Eisei and Ouki. I'm honestly more than impressed by the actor who played Ouki; he managed to rock that look and way of speaking without feeling cringeworthy. Eisei is exactly how he is portrayed in the manga. They even look similar.

The action, cinematography, and CGI are great. Nothing to complain about.

Now, back to the main character's exaggerated acting. If you've read the manga, you'll understand why Yamasaki's acting is a little over-the-top. Manga Shin is indeed a rash and brash character, which Yamasaki has managed to portray quite accurately. What he has failed to capture, however, is Shin's seriousness and determination. It would really help if he could tone down some of those awkward facial expressions and gestures he keeps making throughout the movie.

It's also important to keep in mind that exaggerated acting has always been a feature of Japanese movies and shows in the action genre. They've definitely toned it down over the years, as evidenced in Yamasaki's performance, which is considered super tame compared to some of the atrocities of the past. In fact, locals probably wouldn't see this as overacting at all.

Overall a really great film. I've already seen all 3 at the point of writing this, and can't wait for the 4th.

Watched this when it first came out. Watched plenty of Korean supernatural series before and after this, and so far none of them have managed to surpass this masterpiece.

Unlike their horror movies, Korean horror TV shows rarely possess a clear sense of direction. Most of them just can't seem to avoid the clichés of a typical K dramas. The characters are either unrealistically "cool" (overpowered main character with a tragic past in over-the-top CG fight scenes) or way too melodramatic.

The Guest really nails the character development. There are no super humans, no silly ghosts, or unrealistic fight scenes. The suspense draws you in keeps you guessing till the end. A must watch if you're a fan of a show of this genre.