Customer Reviews

Black House

5 star:		(4)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(3)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

BLACK HOUSE (aka. Geomeun Jip, 2007) is a South Korean thriller that masquerades as an Asian horror film; in truth the film is more psychological than "horror" although the film's main premise is somewhat horrifying and quite disturbing. Based on the novel by Yusuke Kishi and directed by Shin Tae-Ra, the film is a definitely a relief from the usual "vengeful ghost" theme that have plagued most South Korean horror films. "Black House" definitely feels more influenced by Hollywood-style filmmaking than the traditional Korean thriller. (Yusuke's novel was also adapted into a Japanese thriller titled "Black House")

A meek and nerdy young man named Jeon Juno (Hwang Jeong-Min) is an insurance claims adjuster who gets assigned to visit an old dilapidated house. He stumbles upon a "purported" suicide by a seven year old boy who has been insured for $ 30 million Won. After witnessing the supposed "suicide", Juno suspects foul play, since he had recently received a phone call a few days before asking him if the insurance company pays out the coverage in the event of a suicide. He gets harassed by the child's stepfather; Bae Doong Park ( Kang Shin Il) who comes to the office everyday until the insurance money gets paid out. `
Juno resolves to investigate the boy's parents and seek the truth about a potential insurance fraud by a psychotic scam artist. As Juno digs deeper into the case, he finds himself more involved than he wanted to, and the more Juno finds out, the more the terror mounts. Juno's life will be changed forever...

"Black House" is a thrilling attempt by South Korea to escape the usual horror fare that have mostly been "Ringu" and "Ju-On" rip-offs and tries something different. The film does have the right moody atmosphere, style and the touch of creepiness that have made Asian horror very famous. However, this film feels more like a Hollywood film, while it does give its central focus on Juno's amateurish investigations and the usual Police denials, the film relies a lot on blood and gore to emulate terror. The very mood and set designs are reminiscent of the Saw and Hostel franchises, decapitated limbs are on display that the antagonist's lair almost looks like Leatherface's lair in "Texas Chainsaw Massacre".

In addition to the style, the movie also succeeds in suggesting the terror of psychotic manipulation by a most unlikely suspect. The true "horror" of the film is that folks can be manipulated in performing obscene acts of violence on themselves. It expresses the message that psychopaths are everywhere and they look like regular folks. Psychopaths are emotionless individuals who are a danger to themselves or to others. Although truth be told, experienced movie watchers will figure out the mystery halfway through the film; the killings and the gore factor will keep you interested as the film evolves into a "slasher" film. It all depends on how you view the situation since the film feels a bit overstretched on some scenes, that it may either entertain or bore you.

The strongest asset of the film is the cast; Hwang Jeong-Min gives a near-flawless performance as the nerdy Jeon Juno. The actor portrays his role with convincing charisma that I did wonder how a nerdy character can have a great looking girlfriend. Juno's character seemed a repressed and geeky individual who looks like someone who won't be able to tie his shoelaces, but at the same time smart and noble, with a "do-gooder" attitude. Kang Shin Il gives a very creepy and unsettling performance as Bae, the man can give Shinya Tsukamoto (Marebito) a run for his money when it comes to portraying a delusional and disturbed human being. Yoo-Seon plays the boy's mother, Shin Yi-Hwa. Yoo-seon can definitely charm the viewer into feeling pity and empathy towards her character.

Overall, while "Black House" does have its share of weaknesses from its overlong investigations, the survival skills of the antagonist seemed a bit over-the-top, its thematic preoccupations about psychopaths and its overstretched finale; the film is satisfying enough to be an involving thriller. There are enough complexities in its plot and misdirection that kept my interest for the most part that overshadowed the usual "cat and mouse" game and the usual sympathetic protagonist against the cold-blooded killer. There are some hidden surprises that saved the film that I would give this film a timid recommendation.

Recommended with caution, Rent it first [3 ½- Stars]

I heard that this was a good film and decided to check it out. I was definitely not disappointed. Black House is an expertly crafted mystery-horror-thriller about a rather timid insurance investigator who stumbles upon an unexpected, horrifying situation in the course of his work. To be more specific would risk spoiling one of the best "unexpected treasures" I've unearthed in quite a while. What I will say is that the acting is top-notch, the direction is perfectly suited to the subject matter, and the writing is nice and clever. Anyone who enjoys Asian horror will find much to appreciate in the unrated version of Black House.

Very fast delivery and interesting movie. Enjoyed it very much. Would order from Coastbooks 100 (and Amazon, of course) again without hesitation.

i went into this movie not knowing about it,and was pleasantly suprised.the plot was good and it kept my attention thru out.the twist in the movie was predictable but it still was a good movie.

Wow! Allw me to be enthusaistic here- I love viewing films I know nothing about and getting surprised. Existing somewhere between Double Indemnity, Argento, and the best of Brian DePalma (which really reminded me of Sisters when it started hovering around hospitals and strings on the soundtrack), the film is about an insurance man trying to find redemption, and his interactions with a sociopath trying to cash in multiple policies. I'll just leave it at that. Oh, and watch out for the broken eyeglass scene- I jumped right out of my chair! See it. Also loved the humanism exploration in it, something which elevated it into art house status.

Basically, this movie does a lot right, and yet finds a way to fail at the end.

It's sort of like how Tony Romo of the Dallas Cowboys can have a great statistical season, yet somehow find a way to end it on a sour note - botched handling of a field goal, game ending interceptions, anyone?

That's how this movie plays out.

A caring, nerdy and haunted insurance agent winds up involved in the case from hell, when he unwittingly gives out some personal information to a potential client on the phone. It has a nice premise, but in the end, this individual (for the sake of not giving away too much of the plot) turns out to be almost superhuman in her tolerance for pain, and the ways that she escapes death.

I defy anyone to attempt to make sense of the ending of this movie. The last 10 to 15 minutes are downright bizzarre and illogical.

One of the most affecting parts of the film is director Shin Terra's tone. This is one foreign auteur who understands the nature of atmosphere and how it affects suspense. From the clinical corporate setting of Jun-oh's office at the insurance company to the Sawyer Family style estate of Chung-bae, this is a movie where setting, place, and location all play into our sense of dread. Of course, there are times when nothing much happens in these arenas but since we are so immersed in their potential terror, it all works toward successfully sending the shivers up your spine. Again, this is a deliberately-paced film, one that works in small intricately considered steps. If you allow your genre film fortitude to be pushed to its limits, you will easily be rewarded.

Great movie , one of the best Korean Horror - Thrillers ever . Great story-great acting BUY IT !!!!!!!!!!!!

Average "horror" movie. Thought the synopsis was interesting so I decided to purchase. Story was ok with an occasional good scene.

There is less to this film and even less-er looking at the cover box of the DVD. Whom the movie provides to be the insane killer is given away.
This said, it has great production values, well enough acted and gory.
Overlong however.