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Rating: I will go against the tide. In the manner of Huysmans, I oppose the many criticisms that have rained down on this Korean film since its release in 2007. Indeed, while "Black House" is not a masterpiece of the genre and brings nothing new, the psychological and photographic attitude undeniably elevates the film above the mediocrity of other horror releases in recent years.
The film, directed by Terra Shin, tells the story of Jon-oh (played by a surprising Jeong-min Hwang) who, after witnessing the suicide of his younger brother, decides, consumed by guilt, to delve deeper into the investigation of the death of a client's son. By getting involved in a matter that is not his own, he becomes aware of implications that will lead him to confront his own past.
The Korean director chooses to impose a clear division on the film. The first part is more dramatic and psychological, evoking both the atmosphere and setting of that little gem, "The Machinist".
No mutilations or similar atrocities. What we have here is a slow and "gray" narrative that has the merit of not being boring. In the second part, however, we are catapulted into a series of purely gore scenes, always executed with a "delicate" style that does not turn into a banal representation of violence.
The "fractioning" of the film is also reflected in the mental state of the characters. At the start, the director focuses on Jon-oh's emotions, who, despite the pain of losing his little brother, manages to react and find a job as an insurance agent. It is his curiosity that gradually drives him to despair. From the moment he begins to lose his wife as well, he consciously realizes that his only goal is to find the truth in a matter that also indirectly touches his past. The paradise of a peaceful life clashes with the hell depicted in the final sequences.
Since its release, "Black House" has sparked discussion. Most of the global film critics slamming it with negative reviews, relegating it to the usual summer horror film that routinely hits the big screen. Let's be clear: we are not dealing with a masterpiece. Allusions to the great American horror films are present and unfortunately limit the originality of the plot, but this does not make the feature film the trash it has often been labeled. An excellent photography, decadent and oppressive enough, and the blend of different genres ensures the Korean film is at least worthy of consideration. Not bad for a period when only France and England have managed to produce horror films worthy of note.
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