Halabala

Film Review: "Halabala" Score: 2/10

The atmosphere of this film , if one were to describe it as "passable," that would already be an act of generosity. While there is a clear attempt to create tension and gloom, what ultimately emerges is stiff and lifeless, like a painting filled in with color but devoid of vitality. Every element is arranged with such calculated precision that the atmosphere feels more like a "set piece" than a living world the audience can immerse themselves in. The intention to evoke unease instead results in rigidity and a lack of charm.

In terms of characters, it is unfortunate that no groundwork is laid to build a connection between them and the audience. The reasons provided for their actions may be evident within the film itself, yet they are never truly conveyed through performance or events. Everything is "told" rather than "shown," leaving the characters as hollow outlines-without heart, without flesh and blood. The more you watch, the less you connect, and the further you drift from any authentic emotion.

The film's core idea is, in itself, intriguing, and credit is due to the filmmakers for having the courage to include a fair degree of gore. However, realism does not follow suit, and many moments feel more like an attempt to imitate psychological horror than to approach its true essence. The audience is never drawn into the same emotional turmoil as the characters, instead remaining distant-like spectators watching someone perform a play on a small stage.

Several lines of dialogue attempt to probe the deep-seated "wounds" within the characters, yet fail to reach the true emotional core. The result is awkwardness that inspires more cringe than chills. Physical performances meant to convey mental conditions such as schizophrenia, delusion, or hallucination stray far from believability, devolving into overblown gestures with no grounding in the character's personality. Rather than method acting, it becomes a forced demonstration-"look, I'm sick!"-without ever convincing us that they truly are.

The storyline and presentation suffer from critical pacing issues. Scenes that should be short and tight are drawn out like over-pulled taffy, while crucial details-such as building relationships between the audience and the characters or exploring their deeper traumas-are glossed over. Moments that should be layered with symbolism and meaning are left shallow and devoid of power.

The motivations behind the characters' actions and the events themselves are not woven together with enough finesse to allow for genuine emotional connection. The result is that we cannot "root for" any character, because it feels as though we never truly knew them from the start.

As for acting, while effort is visible, many scenes feel overtly forced, leaving characters one-dimensional and soulless-like 8-bit sprites running across the screen. In fact, in some cases, those 8-bit characters might even feel more alive.

If one were to assign a genre to this film, it would be a "wanna-be psychological horror"-a work aspiring to be a psychological thriller but never making it ashore. It is simultaneously lacking and excessive, overflowing yet hollow, leaky yet lifeless. The storytelling fails to compel viewers to stay until the end. Scenes that should have been the film's selling points become its weaknesses, and moments that should draw viewers in are left frustratingly superficial.

To summarize in one sentence: this is a film like a piece of cheap jewelry displayed beautifully in a showcase, but the moment you put it on, you immediately feel its coldness, its weightlessness, and its utter lack of value in any true sense of the experience.

Note: This is a non-spoiler review.

Director Eakasit, the visionary behind a beloved horror franchise, teams up with the lead actor, Ter, Chantavit, best known for comedy and romance in Halabala-a psychological horror that defies expectations. The result? A chilling, genre-bending experience that lingers long after the credits roll.

Eakasit's signature style shines here: expect twists that subvert without derailing, and a story that grips like a comic book unfolding chapter by chapter. The film introduces characters deliberately, weaving their arcs into a linear yet time-bending narrative that blurs reality for both protagonist and audience. This isn't just horror-it's a psychological puzzle, one that resolves 90% of its threads satisfyingly while leaving subtle breadcrumbs for eagle-eyed fans.

What sets Halabala apart is its embrace of biological horror (think visceral body horror) over tired supernatural tropes. Forget ghostly dread-this film trades suffocating terror for a slower, more cerebral unease. Jump scares exist, but they're earned, blending seamlessly into the story rather than relying on shock value. While it lacks the oppressive atmosphere of films like The Nun (2018) or The Medium (2021), Halabala carves its own niche with grotesque practical effects and a tone that feels almost... playful.

The film isn't without its flaw and a major one at that: Its soundtrack. Eclectic to a fault, the score veers from classical elegance to synthwave, drum 'n' bass, and even love rock. A climactic horror moment is undercut by jarring heavy metal, and the lack of a unifying melody leaves the music forgettable.

Another hiccup: subtitle inaccuracies. As a Thai native speaker, I caught clumsy translations (e.g., overusing "F word" for nuanced Thai profanity), which occasionally distract from the film's emotional beats. Non-Thai viewers might miss character subtleties, though the story's strength still shines through.

Ultimately, Halabala is a refreshing horror entry for those craving psychological depth over cheap scares. Its body-horror creativity, tight plotting, and mind-bending structure make it a standout-perfect for viewers tired of clichéd ghost stories. Just temper expectations for the soundtrack and subtitles.

8/10 - A weekend thrill with blood and guts.

This movie is actually good. Good plot. But i hate movies with stupid character. Ended sacrificing friends and family only to be defeated by the villain at the end.. Dont watch this if you dont like tragedy..

This movie is actually good. Good plot. But i hate movies with stupid character. Ended sacrificing friends and family only to be defeated by the villain at the end.. Dont watch this if you dont like tragedy..