The previous reviewer is one of those guys that I disagree with most of the time. "Faithless Hell" (aka "Possessed", aka "Living Death") (2009) is a shining example, because it's difficult to comprehend how someone could bash this as being a "bad" horror movie.
First of all, the acting and camera-work are both top notch, which automatically raises "Faithless Hell" to a respectable level that should disqualify any assertions that it is somehow poorly made. The performance of the lead actress is no less than fantastic, and is most definitely deserving of a "2009 Best Actress In Horror" nomination (if there was one) alongside OK-bin Kim who gave us a blistering performance in "Thirst" (2009). Sang-Mi Nam plays the concerned elder sister in the kind of professional, restrained manner that is sorely lacking in genre films from the west. The supporting cast also does an admirable job. You really can't ask for much more than this in terms of acting quality. It's first rate.
I find that those who dislike South Korean horror tend to go in with the same expectations as when they watch modern Hollywood or European horror movies, which is a major problem considering the massive chasm of differences between the industries. For example, Hollywood horror will frequently resort to jump scares and loud noises in overly repetitive ways, but you're not going to get this kind of talentless hackery in "Faithless Hell." I can remember only one jump scare in the entire film (near the beginning). Consequently, viewers who come out of this aggravated that "Not once did I jump in my seat" really have no idea what to look for in a slow-burning horror film such as this. "Faithless Hell" does an exquisite job at building an interesting, occultish mystery surrounding the disappearance of a young girl while peppering in some cool nightmarish visions along the way.
And that brings us to another issue, the alleged "confusing" nature of this film. Let me tell you this: "Faithless Hell" is a very straight-forward movie because the narrative is shown (and at times even explained) clearly to the viewer with little in terms of ambiguity. BRIEF SPOILER The crane bite, the leg-scratching scene, and the potato sack scene were all nightmarish visions brought about by the Crane Spirit as it attempts to make its transition from the dead girl to her older sister. There are also a number of appearances by crane footprints (talismans, foggy windows, etc.) for emphasis, and the very end where the detective's child becomes miraculously healthy acts as confirmation that the possession is complete. END BRIEF SPOILER Much of this is explained by one the characters at the police station, so there shouldn't be much confusion here at all. Sure, the visions themselves are kinda freaky and incomprehensible, but they only occupy a few minutes of running time and serve a purpose outside of narrative drive – they provide the visuals that communicate the effects of the Crane Spirit on the lead protagonist.
With regards to the relationships between the protagonists, it's underscored and subtly expressed through day-to-day interaction. It's obvious that the friction between the lead protagonist and her mother is due to the mother's fanaticism, and it's obvious that the lead protagonist is open to non-fanatical forms of religion. There's nothing confusing about this relationship, and "Faithless Hell" is under no obligation to offer a "protest against religious fanaticism" or "speak in favor of faith." In fact, I personally find it much more interesting and realistic when such themes are explored but not fully answered or pushed by the filmmakers.
As I've mentioned before in my IMDb comments – especially the one for Kiyoshi Kurosawa's "Retribution" (2006) – audiences really need to start using their brain cells while watching Asian horror movies. Almost none of them are as confusing as reviewers make them out to be. If you want a confusing Asian horror film, watch "Spider Forest" (2004) or "Marebito" (2004). I'll give you those, but "Faithless Hell" is not even remotely close to being confusing.
In terms of industry trends, South Korean horror has been solid from 2008-2010. "Missing" (2009) and "Blood Pledge" (2009) were both mediocre, "G.P. 506" (2008) was dreadfully boring, and "Death Bell" (2008) was frankly incompetent. Fortunately, we have "I Saw the Devil" (2010), "Faithless Hell" (2009), "Thirst" (2009), "Midnight F.M." (2010), "Yoga Institute" (2009), "Chaw" (2009), "Bedevilled" (2010), and "Loner" (2008) to enjoy.
First of all, the acting and camera-work are both top notch, which automatically raises "Faithless Hell" to a respectable level that should disqualify any assertions that it is somehow poorly made. The performance of the lead actress is no less than fantastic, and is most definitely deserving of a "2009 Best Actress In Horror" nomination (if there was one) alongside OK-bin Kim who gave us a blistering performance in "Thirst" (2009). Sang-Mi Nam plays the concerned elder sister in the kind of professional, restrained manner that is sorely lacking in genre films from the west. The supporting cast also does an admirable job. You really can't ask for much more than this in terms of acting quality. It's first rate.
I find that those who dislike South Korean horror tend to go in with the same expectations as when they watch modern Hollywood or European horror movies, which is a major problem considering the massive chasm of differences between the industries. For example, Hollywood horror will frequently resort to jump scares and loud noises in overly repetitive ways, but you're not going to get this kind of talentless hackery in "Faithless Hell." I can remember only one jump scare in the entire film (near the beginning). Consequently, viewers who come out of this aggravated that "Not once did I jump in my seat" really have no idea what to look for in a slow-burning horror film such as this. "Faithless Hell" does an exquisite job at building an interesting, occultish mystery surrounding the disappearance of a young girl while peppering in some cool nightmarish visions along the way.
And that brings us to another issue, the alleged "confusing" nature of this film. Let me tell you this: "Faithless Hell" is a very straight-forward movie because the narrative is shown (and at times even explained) clearly to the viewer with little in terms of ambiguity. BRIEF SPOILER The crane bite, the leg-scratching scene, and the potato sack scene were all nightmarish visions brought about by the Crane Spirit as it attempts to make its transition from the dead girl to her older sister. There are also a number of appearances by crane footprints (talismans, foggy windows, etc.) for emphasis, and the very end where the detective's child becomes miraculously healthy acts as confirmation that the possession is complete. END BRIEF SPOILER Much of this is explained by one the characters at the police station, so there shouldn't be much confusion here at all. Sure, the visions themselves are kinda freaky and incomprehensible, but they only occupy a few minutes of running time and serve a purpose outside of narrative drive – they provide the visuals that communicate the effects of the Crane Spirit on the lead protagonist.
With regards to the relationships between the protagonists, it's underscored and subtly expressed through day-to-day interaction. It's obvious that the friction between the lead protagonist and her mother is due to the mother's fanaticism, and it's obvious that the lead protagonist is open to non-fanatical forms of religion. There's nothing confusing about this relationship, and "Faithless Hell" is under no obligation to offer a "protest against religious fanaticism" or "speak in favor of faith." In fact, I personally find it much more interesting and realistic when such themes are explored but not fully answered or pushed by the filmmakers.
As I've mentioned before in my IMDb comments – especially the one for Kiyoshi Kurosawa's "Retribution" (2006) – audiences really need to start using their brain cells while watching Asian horror movies. Almost none of them are as confusing as reviewers make them out to be. If you want a confusing Asian horror film, watch "Spider Forest" (2004) or "Marebito" (2004). I'll give you those, but "Faithless Hell" is not even remotely close to being confusing.
In terms of industry trends, South Korean horror has been solid from 2008-2010. "Missing" (2009) and "Blood Pledge" (2009) were both mediocre, "G.P. 506" (2008) was dreadfully boring, and "Death Bell" (2008) was frankly incompetent. Fortunately, we have "I Saw the Devil" (2010), "Faithless Hell" (2009), "Thirst" (2009), "Midnight F.M." (2010), "Yoga Institute" (2009), "Chaw" (2009), "Bedevilled" (2010), and "Loner" (2008) to enjoy.