Local folklore and customs are a classic means of taking inspiration for new horror films, which is a practice seen in operation throughout the world as tales featuring Japanese kappa, Scandinavian Krampus, and American sasquatch litter screens constantly. Vietnam offers its take on the matter that draws inspiration from the folk legend of the “Quỷ Nhập Tràng,” or corpse possession, to build its storyline as the film integrates typical cultural features of Hue such as the art of ceramic mosaic, a unique culture of the Nguyen Dynasty referring to class issues and the view of male contempt for women. Second-time director Luu Thanh Luan integrates these immensely well in this new feature just released on Vietnamese screens.
Following the death of her grandson, Me Bích (Hong Dao) finds herself forced to deal with the humiliation of the incident from her friends while keeping her family, Vinh Thai (Van Anh) and Vinh Trong (Samuel An) as well as their business together. With My Kim (Thien An) taking on additional duties to help the family during this time, the difference in their behavior and treatment of the local workers offers a drastic change in the power balance between them in the household that’s become even more balanced since Ngoc Le (Ngan Thao), the former sister-in-law who was killed in an accident years ago, is no longer around to help ease the tensions. More incidents around the village hint that a malevolent spirit has returned with the dead child and is being set up to begin another ritual, forcing the family to come to terms with their path to stop it.
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“Spirit Whisker: The Revenant” has a lot to like about it. Among its better features is writer/director Luan’s storyline which gives off a fine-tuned drama addressing issues of social class and gender discrimination. The main instigating factor with this is the difference in how Me Bich and My Kim are shown and treated throughout here compared to the other members of the family. With Le shown to be far more sympathetic and caring towards workers and others around the villa while My Kim takes after Me Bich in being more ruthless and vindictive, there’s a fine contrast built up that helps to build a sympathetic plight as time goes on. Since it’s all based on their class system regarding how the two women treat people, the resulting public opinion changes with how the family is perceived as eating away at Me Bich. Therefore, that she tries keeping the family together through any means necessary adds immensely to the feeling of fate and karma that come about. Those features become even more important in the final half where it all leads into the revelations and secret allegiance that are brought about as a result of this setup.
From this setup, “Spirit Whisker” carries along nicely into a solid series of supernatural hauntings and scares. Opening on the fabled death in grand fashion as the body disappears before reappearing in the middle of an elaborate village ceremonial presentation unexpectedly, to the shock of everyone gathered, is a strong touch to get this started on a high note. Similarly, the accidents that befall the villagers and other workers following the incident, whether it be crushed under accidental collapses or found eaten alive in their chambers by swarms of rats, keep this interesting with the idea of something malicious in the village. Further incidents involving the spirit appearing at the scene of several encounters or the revelation regarding what happened to Le set up the big finale which has a lot to like. As the true villain is revealed and their plan comes to fruition, the influence of black magic and other occult means being introduced offer up some immensely fun elements that provide some action-packed confrontations and a far more over-the-top atmosphere compared to the more sedate beginning.
“Spirit Whisker” does have some issues holding it back. One of these factors is the overly complicated storyline that sets up its themes nicely but leaves way too many areas burdened with features that make no sense. The central theme involving the family trying to keep a hold of their power and wealth through any means necessary is a fine one, much like the secondary feature about the mishaps that arise in the village once Me Bich performs the ceremony to bring the grandson back to life. However, this one also introduces several other plot points throughout its time, from an exorcist wanting to bless the house that the family used in the past but no longer can find it, secret betrayals from supposedly dead family members that are still alive, and the practice of forbidden voodoo rites that are featured throughout.
These only serve to complicate a storyline to a point it doesn’t need or require. The several info dumps in the form of backstory revelations or monologues could explain the history of the family betrayals and alternate discoveries so that what went on makes sense. Instead, they only succeed in complicating matters to where it’s nearly impossible to tell who’s on what side or attempting to perform what black magic spell for what purpose. Coupled with some underwhelming CGI that comes about from the demonic entity being somewhat obvious immersion-breakers, these features hold the movie back.
With a strong but confusing story and some fine supernatural hauntings spread throughout, “Spirit Whisker” has a lot to like and just a few drawbacks. Those who are intrigued by these kinds of Asian horror features or don’t mind its flaws will want to give it a chance.
