O Mistério das Garotas Perdidas

A Korean pastor who specialises in investigating crooked or corrupt religious movements stumbles upon a series of murders that seem to be connected to ancient mythology. A complicated horror mystery with a strong sense of foreboding that makes for a confusing watch at times, but which comes good in the end.

Svaha: The Sixth Finger: South Korea, the Reverend Park investigates fringe Cults, he is paid by Christian and Buddhist organisations to take a closer look at their whackier offshoots. We see him being attacked by nasty nuns from the Agape Convent. He is presently investigating the Deer Hill Buddhist movement, superficially they appear to be a small, alms giving sect. Park sends a spy into them and discovers that they follow an obscure and esoteric form of Buddhism, they worship Generals who are actually Heavenly Kings. They also hold sacred a Buddhist text which is the equivalent of the Christian Book of Revelation and believe 81 Evil Ones will be born, basically Anti-Buddhas, The Cult are determined that these abominations must be killed. We have already witnessed a strange birth where one twin has bitten another in the womb, both survive but the biter seems to be demonic and is kept in a shed, her cries disturb animals, black goats bleated madly at her birth. Murders are uncovered and it looks as if Cult members are carrying out the prophecies. But there is much more at play in this multi-layered tale of Possession, Syncretic Buddhism, Cults and the quest for immortality. A killer sees the eyeless corpses of his child victims, another dreams of demonic creatures crawling towards him. Gory murders are committed. Snakes emerge from the demonic twins' hut and bite the curious, a claw-like hand emerges from beneath the door, flocks of birds strike the main home. Writer/Director Jang Jae-hyun delivers a worthy addition to the Korean Folk Horror Film Canon. 8/10. On Netflix.

For those movie-watchers who admire mystery, occult and exorcism movies, this movie is definitely a great recommendation. It is directed by Jang Jae-Hyun, who is awarded as the Best New Director from his also blockbuster movie, The Priests. The story line is a whole mind-bugging narrative. The way the scenes unfold is clear and interesting. The tone is set right. Thanks to the convincing cinematography and the talented acting of the casts and convincing direction of Jang Jae-Hyun himself. The director did great in choosing how the story is told. The beginning of the movie left me with lots of questions and the ending gave me the right answers to them. The pacing of each scene is satisfying because it is neither too fast nor too slow. It is just the right amount. The cinematography added flavor to the overall taste of the movie. The coloring and lighting really helped in making the movie more engaging to watch. The set felt alive. The setting really contributed to the enthralling sensation. The pacing is clearly organized. It was full of mystery at the beginning of the movie and I love how each scene is tied together to form a worthwhile ending. I am a big fan of this genre and I am greatly satisfied with this movie. I always admire how Koreans are creative with their stories and how skillful they are to putting the actions alive in a movie. I will not hesitate to recommend this movie to my friends.

First of all, I really liked the cinematography, lighting, all the things we take for granted in a well-made film that are so obviously missing in a poor film. One shot was like a Dutch Old Master painting, you may spot it. The plot is rather complicated in following the work of an academic debunker of cults and the charlatans who mean to profit, or worse, through manipulation of followers. There is a weird mix of Buddhist and Christian influences in Korean culture which might puzzle viewers in the West like me, but it is worth paying attention and sticking with the story.

The bad reviews are because it's complicated. Not a typical film. Unless you're looking for simple escapism, you will enjoy this one. Theological and existential. Loads of great scenes and set pieces.

Side to Korean culture I hadn't seen in movies. Buddhist monk with a Nespresso machine, youth offender prisons, quarries etc.

The plot has a lot of "in scene" detective work and characters working out what's going on, kind of like The Wire, but in this case the detective work involves complex Buddhist iconography and monastic structure. Some who prefer simple guts and kinetic story might struggle. Hence the bad reviews - most films are way more simple, the people who are unhappy are comparing it to those expectations.

For fans of the Wailing, cult obsessives, people with spiritual beliefs. I'm personally atheist but the depth of spiritual enquiry in this film really touched me. "How can there be a God in a world like this?"