It has been a while since I binge-watched horror and supernatural films. Many are about demons, ghosts and possession, and the others are about vampires, werewolves and zombies. (Magicians and fantasy are in a different category.) Most are ermmm B-grade. Hahahah. One stood out for its decent storyline- a Taiwanese film titled《粽邪》(2018, 'The Rope Curse') directed by Liao Shih Han (廖士涵).
Set in Taiwan's Changhua County (彰化縣), the title alludes to soothing and sending away aggrieved spirits (referred to as 'meat dumplings') who died by suicide (from hanging) on their journey. ‘送肉粽’ is a an age-old religious ritual done by the local priests. The ominous hanging rope and the surrounding items are put in a sack, tied up and thrown into the sea, signifying that all resentment and hate from the spirits are packed up and sent away, ensuring peace for the living.
Engaged couple Jiawei and Shuyi's lives were thrown upside down when they revisited Shuyi's old home to film this religious ritual after a death happened in the town. They realized that Shuyi's old classmates were being targeted and methodically killed. The filming is fine, and the acting isn't too bad. It utilizes lots of flashbacks. I suppose this is how it's supposed to unfold since audiences have no idea what's going on, and why this spirit seemed to be picking off these specific targets one by one, and killing whoever stood in the way. Then we learnt that Shuyi's old classmate and good friend Li Yan hung herself in the school hall because she was picked on by a group of girls and was continuously bullied, and the last straw was when she thought her only friend had betrayed her, by dating a boy she had a crush on.
I thought it wouldn't be such a happy ending. A seemingly successful exorcism doesn't seem possible. The priest was no match for the vengeful spirit who had plenty of time to gather its grievances into an evil manifestation. Li Yan wasn't about to forgive anyone, not even her former friend, especially when the pain caused went beyond a physical pain. It was a hurt that cut so deep that a death couldn't assuage the vengeful spirit.
The ending was chilling. When the injured Shuyi was finally discharged from hospital and Jiawei picked her up to head home together, the wing mirror image reflected Li Yan instead, indicating that the Shuyi's soul was no longer there. Shuyi's apology clearly wasn't accepted, and her punishment was to have her life taken over, and Li Yan considers that as rightful compensation. That entire concept is rather frightening. Of wrongs done and not righted; of a guilty conscience and a heavy heart, and a lifetime of grievances and pain.
Set in Taiwan's Changhua County (彰化縣), the title alludes to soothing and sending away aggrieved spirits (referred to as 'meat dumplings') who died by suicide (from hanging) on their journey. ‘送肉粽’ is a an age-old religious ritual done by the local priests. The ominous hanging rope and the surrounding items are put in a sack, tied up and thrown into the sea, signifying that all resentment and hate from the spirits are packed up and sent away, ensuring peace for the living.
Engaged couple Jiawei and Shuyi's lives were thrown upside down when they revisited Shuyi's old home to film this religious ritual after a death happened in the town. They realized that Shuyi's old classmates were being targeted and methodically killed. The filming is fine, and the acting isn't too bad. It utilizes lots of flashbacks. I suppose this is how it's supposed to unfold since audiences have no idea what's going on, and why this spirit seemed to be picking off these specific targets one by one, and killing whoever stood in the way. Then we learnt that Shuyi's old classmate and good friend Li Yan hung herself in the school hall because she was picked on by a group of girls and was continuously bullied, and the last straw was when she thought her only friend had betrayed her, by dating a boy she had a crush on.
I thought it wouldn't be such a happy ending. A seemingly successful exorcism doesn't seem possible. The priest was no match for the vengeful spirit who had plenty of time to gather its grievances into an evil manifestation. Li Yan wasn't about to forgive anyone, not even her former friend, especially when the pain caused went beyond a physical pain. It was a hurt that cut so deep that a death couldn't assuage the vengeful spirit.
The ending was chilling. When the injured Shuyi was finally discharged from hospital and Jiawei picked her up to head home together, the wing mirror image reflected Li Yan instead, indicating that the Shuyi's soul was no longer there. Shuyi's apology clearly wasn't accepted, and her punishment was to have her life taken over, and Li Yan considers that as rightful compensation. That entire concept is rather frightening. Of wrongs done and not righted; of a guilty conscience and a heavy heart, and a lifetime of grievances and pain.
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