alone

Movie Review : Holy Pad Thai! Creepy and chilling would be apt descriptions for the Thai film named “Alone”. Fitting for a horror movie centered around conjoined twins, the film was directed by the duo of Banjong Pisanthanakun & Parkpoom Wongpoom. The duo previously worked together in the 2004 film “Shutter”. While “Alone” doesn’t bring forth anything new to the Horror genre, the film still manages to shine with an expert display of craftsmen within the tricks and trade of the horror film genre.

Familiar setups in “Alone” that you have probably seen in countless other films … Scary sequence climaxes with a sudden jolt of loud music - then the person wakes up from a dream? Check. Spooky old two story wooden house that may be haunted? Check. Pale faced long haired ghost that appears out of the blue? Check. Finale takes place in the haunted house with the house eventually crumbling to the ground? Check. Even with that boilerplate setup, the film still manages to be a whole lot of fun to watch and downright spooky at times.

The film tells the tale of Pim and her boyfriend Wee. The Thai couple are expatriates living in South Korea, but soon go back to Thailand when they learn that Pim’s mother has been hospitalized. Once the couple arrives back in Thailand, creepy things start to happen immediately. We also learn through flashbacks about Pim’s traumatic childhood.

Pim and her sister Ploy were born as Siamese twins, conjoined near the stomach area. The girls lived a tumultuous life with frequent stares and taunts thrown their way by others. The girls as teenagers spent a lot of time in hospitals and this is when they first meet Wee. Plim fell in love with Wee instantly while her sister fumed with jealousy. Eventually Pim insisted on surgery to become separated. Because of this, Ploy dies soon afterwards and Pim lives with the guilt over her sister’s death.

Now that Pim and Wee are staying at Pim’s old house, Pim is constantly haunted by the images of Ploy. Are her visions just manifestations of her own guilt or something more sinister?

A large part of the success for “Alone” would be due to the impressive talents of directors Banjong Pisanthanakun & Parkpoom Wongpoom. The duo showed off their horror movie making chops in a highly stylish and efficient manner. The film had a brisk 90 minute runtime, while visually the film looked gorgeous throughout. Oversaturated colors were abundant throughout and the special effects were so good that you just didn’t notice them. Having the movie centered around Siamese twins certainly helped the creepiness factor. Casting was equally as good with Masha Wattanapanich making a stellar comeback after a 10 year hiatus – seemingly not having missed a beat. She simply handled her role with aplomb. Her co-star Vittaya Wasukraipaisan was equally as agreeable, but more as a soundboard for Masha Wattanapanich’s frequent psychological breakdowns. The supporting cast was spot on with Ratchanoo Bunchootwong perfectly cast as one spooky bed-ridden mother.

Basically, if your waiting for the next big thing in horror films, you won’t find it in “Alone”, but if you want a slick horror film done with impeccable style than “Alone” will fit the bill. Watch this one with friends as it will bring about plenty of shrieks and sudden jolts of nervousness. I’m sleeping tonight with Camera Obscura playing on repeat.