Asian Horror Weekend – Shutter (2004)

Director: Banjong Pisanthanakun, Parkpoom Wongpoom

Writer: Banjong Pisanthanakun, Parkpoom Wongpoom, Sophon Sakdaphisit (Screenplay)

Starring: Ananda Everingham, Nattaweeranuch Thongmee, Achita Skiamana, Unnop Chanpaibool, Titikarn Tongprasearth, Sivagorn Muttamara, Chachchaya Chalemphol

Plot: A young photographer and his girlfriend discover mysterious shadows in their photographs after a tragic accident. They soon learn that you can not escape your past.

There may be spoilers the rest of the review

Verdict: Terrifying Ghost Investigation Film

Story: Shutter starts with Tun (Everingham) and hi girlfriend Jane (Thongmee) celebrating a wedding when on their trip home they hit a girl in the road before Tun convinces Jane to drive away. Tun a photographer starts seeing the image of the girl in his photos while Jane battles with the guilt.

When Tun’s photos start getting blurs the and Jane starts getting haunted by the girl the pair decide to investigate what happened that night, finding out no accidents were reported the night of the crash. With the hauntings become more serious and Tun becoming sick the couple learn the truth about what could be causing the troubles with spirits following through photos of people they had a connection with.

Shutter fills all the boxes for a ghost investigation that I absolute love in a horror film. I did make the mistake of watching the remake first and even though the stories are the same this version reaches the horror levels that will see you hiding behind a pillow. I like how the film reveals the twist slowly and each one will leave you surprised. This will be one that could stick with you and the inclusion of looking at a real phenomenon of spirit appearing in photos helps the horror levels. (8/10)

Actor Review

Ananda Everingham: Tun is the photographer who starts getting haunted by a spirit from his past, it first starts up in photographs before targeting him personally along with his new girlfriend Jane. Ananda does a good job in this leading role showing the fear needed through the film. (7/10)

Nattaweeranuch Thongmee: Jane is the girlfriend of Tun who starts getting haunted by the spirit after she believes she hits her on the way home, what the spirit is really doing is trying to communicate with Jane to show her the truth about what happened. She gives a great performance looking into the truth as well as being scared throughout. (8/10)

Support Cast: Shutter has a supporting cast that include the friends who were involved in what happened, experts filling in the information along with the girl who is haunting the couple.

Director Review: Banjong Pisanthanakun, Parkpoom Wongpoom – The pair give us a horror film that will stick with you showing a darker side to a real phenomenon. (8/10)

Horror: Shutter has great scares throughout and even when you know the jumps are coming you will jump. (9/10)

Mystery: Shutter gives us a mystery to solve relating to the reason why the ghost is haunting the couple. (8/10)

Thriller: Shutter does keep you guessing from start to finish. (9/10)

Settings: Shutter keeps the settings to everyday locations making the horror reach the next level. (8/10)
Special Effects: Shutter uses great effects to create the horror of the ghost figure. (8/10)

Suggestion: Shutter is one for all the horror fans to watch, it will keep you on the edge of your seat with your hands covering you eyes throughout. (Horror Fans Watch)

Best Part: The ladder scene.

Worst Part: Nope

Oh My God Moment: Final reveal.

Scariest Scene: Bedroom scares.

Believability: No (0/10)

Chances of Tears: No (0/10)

Chances of Sequel: No

Post Credits Scene: No

Oscar Chances: No

Runtime: 1 Hour 33 Minutes

Tagline: The most terrifying images are the ones that are real.

Trivia: Has been remade three times. Sivi (2007) is the Indian remake, Shutter (2008) is the American remake, and Click (2010) is the Hindi remake.

Overall: A true horror that will scare you from start to finish.

Rating