Every avid horror movie fan knows that Asian horror is in a league of its own. It’s an artful mix of hair-raising stories rooted in cultural beliefs and traditions, psychological issues, and graphic and violent scenes. Though they have their fair share of jumpscares, they don’t necessarily rely on them like most Western films. Asian horror movies create the creepiest atmospheres that heighten the viewer’s sense of dread and fear. The result? Cult classics that stay with the audience forever. So if you’re looking to spice up your watch parties, press play on these 5 Asian horror flicks available on Lionsgate Play.
Conjuring Spirit (2014)
Conjuring Spirit has solidified everyone’s opinions of ever owning a music box and/or daring to live in decrepit, run-down apartments. The horror flick follows Lan, a novelist who moves to an apartment with her son, Bi, to start a new life. Her landlady gives her a music box and also informs her that her apartment might be haunted by the ghost of a woman who was murdered years ago. Soon, Lan enlists the help of her neighbor, Vu, a budding musician, to solve the mystery and survive the haunting. Aside from having the winning formula for Asian horror flicks (including petrifying jumpscares and an awesome twist to boot), Conjuring Spirit also sprinkles a bit of comedy in an otherwise terrifying film.
Kidan Piece of Darkness (2016)
Kidan Piece of Darkness is an anthology horror film composed of 10 tales based on Japanese author Fuyumi Ono’s best-selling books. The stories are tied together by a woman reading letters from her listeners about their own supernatural experiences. Kidan Piece of Darkness is the perfect watch for horror enthusiasts who want to take a break from full-length horror films but still get the same jaw-dropping, heart-lurching payoff. Ten directors had a hand in bringing Ono’s stories to life, including Mari Asato, who’s best known for directing horror and thriller movies Ju-On: Black Ghost (2009) and Under Your Bed (2019).
Japanese Doll of Terror (2019)
There’s no shortage of horror films about murderous dolls. Japanese Doll of Terror’s take on a familiar plot comes with its own vintage, albeit eerie, charm plus a few twists up its sleeve. It follows university students Yuri and Masato, poised to have the time of their lives at a campground party. But things turn deadly when a cursed doll starts to attack and won’t stop until the whole party is dead.
3AM (2015)
Malaysian anthology horror flick 3AM gives a whole new meaning to an hour we’re collectively wary of, the “devil’s hour.” This 5-part series includes stories sharing the common themes of vengefulness and karmic retribution. Each story is about wrathful spirits turning innocent victims’ lives into a nightmare – a spiteful office spirit, a college student with a dark agenda, a scorned woman out for revenge, friends stuck in a haunted forest never to make it out alive, and a taxi driver-turned-killer. 3AM promises spooks, thrills, and nightmares that are definitely not for the faint of heart.
Ghost Wedding (2021)
Ghost Wedding is inspired by a 3,000-year-old Chinese tradition of a posthumous wedding to appease spirits and ensure their passage in the afterlife. In the movie, Zhi Cheng, a photographer, is haunted by a “woman in red,” and his relatives tragically die, one by one. After learning about ghost brides, he enlists the help of a friend to investigate the legend. But as they unravel the secret of a “ghost marriage,” the malevolent spirit of the ghost bride will stop at nothing to get her revenge.
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