The Grotesque Mansion (2021)

MOST UNDERATED AND UPTILL NOW THE EXCELLENT HORROR FILM IN KOREAN FILM INDUSTRY

RATING: ★★★★★

SUMMARY: Ji Woo, a webcomic artist, visits the Gwanglim Mansion after hearing the terrifying rumours about that apartment. The apartment's caretaker, a middle-aged guy, describes a few incidents that occurred there. Ji Woo becomes more and more obsessed.

MY VIEWS: This film tops Gonjam Haunted Asylum in quality. I realise that making such a bold statement considering how well acclaimed this Korean horror film is, but as a horror movie enthusiast, I can assure you that this film will not let you down. The narrative is strong because the movie's many scenes make connections. The story of each character shown in the first chapter is told by the middleman throughout the duration of the film's four chapters. The movie becomes really intriguing when the hints for next scenes are shown, since this demonstrates how precisely the plot was crafted and how skilfully the direction was executed. This movie is obsessed in every way. The middleman telling such stories is a very surprising and distinct character. It resembles watching episodes of short horror stories. There is nothing special to talk about the sets, because all the incidents happens in that apartment. I totally loved it! Creative, Engaging and Terrifying.

RECOMMENDATION: I recommend this movie more than 1 time

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The Grotesque Mansion is a short movie consisting of five chapters, with the final one serving as a narration throughout the whole film. None of the stories are well explained or concluded, making them seem like scary stories we tell each other at night when we are kids - it’s not about the well constructed plot, but the atmosphere.

The thing that I loved about the directing was how all the cases were linked together - each chapter had a scene we already saw in a previous story, but from a different perspective.

Chapter 1 - Room 504 - The Writer
One of the weakest plots of all the 5 chapters. While the small details in the background added to the eerie atmosphere, overall I was not impressed. The story was not scary at all, but I have to appreciate the acting from Lee Chang Hoon, who played a driven writer on the edge, because his writing has not been going too smoothly lately. I could feel his frustration.

Chapter 2 - Room 907 - The Pharmacist
The best of all the chapters. From the interesting story, to the creepy visuals - I was sold. The setup for the plot reminded me a little bit of P.T., with the radio station giving news about the murder. The loop of the characters’ actions and the corridor shots that made it seem as if I am there observing the situation, made this my favorite part of the movie.

Chapter 3 - Room 708 - The Salesman
Annabelle, but creepier. Except for the "companion" making me uncomfortable, there is not much to say about this chapter. The pictures created for some scenes were nice, but overall it was more entertaining than scary.

Chapter 4 - Room 604 - The Student
Trigger warning for gross body horror. Pimples and a lot of weird stuff happening to the face of one of the characters. Rather nauseating. That said, the body horror was quite well made - no complaints on my part about the effects and makeup. The story is rather simple, and focuses more on the visual aspect of it.

Final chapter - Room 1504 - The Caretaker
Had one of the scariest scenes from the whole movie - the elevator moment got me on the edge of my seat. The Caretaker concludes the story is a coherent way that makes sense, while leaving a door open for a possible sequel.

Overall, The Grotesque Mansion is just a simple and easy watch. Good for an evening when you might be a bit tired and you want to be entertained, but without forcing your brain to do any work.

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