HORROR MOVIE REVIEW: MANHOLE


It’s day twenty-four of my HALLOWEEN CHALLENGE where I have to see a horror movie a day during the month of October and write a short review for each one.

Korean movies always put drama on the forefront of any genre film including horror. MANHOLE -  a slasher movie, that takes part almost entirely in the underground of Seoul, is no exception.

When her deaf sister suddenly disappears, Yeon-Seo descends into the underground labyrinth, beneath the city to find her. The entire film is a cat and mouse game between the two women and a psychotic serial killer who is out to destroy them. The film is stylishly shot and for the small set up the underground setting provides, no expense is spared.

Another famous feature of Korean movies is the high standard of acting. Both leading ladies and the serial killer are believable and very human characters. While evil is never redeemed, it is made understandable.

Korean audiences crave horror more than any other country (must have something to do with the political situation), and they manage to make any cliche set up turn into an original movie.

MANHOLE may be too gritty and violent for some, but this is the horror  movie that deserves praise: rich in character, spot on pacing, and just enough violence to make you believe you've seen a lot, when in fact it all happened off screen. Creepy, intelligent and SCARY!

SCORE OUT OF 5


SCARY SCORE: 👻👻👻
GORE SCORE: 🗡🗡🗡🗡
FUN SCORE: 🎃🎃🎃🎃🎃

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