This Thai horror film is a hidden gem in cinemas now that’s better than Tarzan & Finding Dory

Now, if you’re looking to watch a movie this holiday, you’ll most likely choose blockbusters like The Legend of Tarzan or Finding Dory. Fans of Jay Chou might just try Now You See Me 2, but here’s one movie that’s hidden amongst the high-budget Hollywood movies that might well be much better than all those movies: the Thai horror film Take Me Home.

The movie receives not much publicity online (or literally absolutely no at all) in Singapore, and the only online presence it has is its show times. Even the trailer itself has less than 1,500 views on YouTube. Despite that, it stars Thai superstar Mario Maurer, a 金城武-lookalike and popular Thai actress Wannarot Sonthichai, and has taken horror film to a whole new level.

To me, I see a horror film as one that has only one objective: to scare the audience so much that half the popcorn will be on the floor. The plot, if it even has one, isn’t the priority. In fact, almost all the plots are similar: someone moves into a new house, the house is haunted, the ghosts follow the occupants, and the ghosts were exorcised.

In fact, if you would to watch the trailer for Take Me Home, I won’t blame you for thinking that you could almost predict the plot.

But this isn’t. It’s much more complicated than the usual plot you’ve become accustomed to in recent years.

Unlike the usual horror films, Take Me Home shows the story with a non-linear way, forcing the audience to think as they watch. Even as you anticipate the jump scares, which I’ve got to admit is excessive yet effective (more on that later), you’ll be thinking about the plot: why show this scene? What’s the objective of that scene?

The plot is deep—very deep. It’s a horror film but what it wants you to understand more about discrimination, acceptance and society altogether. You’ll walk out of the cinema and rethink your values: have we become so obsessed with getting approval from our society that we’ve decided compromise on our integrity?

But if all you want is a good scream (or many good screams), Take Me Home is almost perfect for you. Horror films keep their pace slow, and surprise you with one good jump scare every now and then, because let’s face it: how often can a ghost just jump out of nowhere? But Take Me Home takes it to a whole new level: you’re essentially being kept in the suspense throughout the movie (no kidding), and jump scares can come anytime.

In other words, there’s no breathing space—after thirty minutes, when the expositions of the characters are done, you’ll be shaking with fear for the rest of the movie.

In fact, there’s a scene that stays in my mind even after so many days. In it, someone dropped from the sky and landed on a bench—shaking profusely. What this movie does well is that it incorporates a strong element of creepiness with its jump scares, and it’s not through a creepy face but its—for the lack of a better word—disturbing actions.

My verdict? Forget The Conjuring 2 if you’ve yet to watch it; this is the horror film of the year (so far).

Take Me Home is now in cinemas. Check out the show times here.

This article was first published on goodyfeed.com