THE MEDIUM (2021)

Critic No. 255

Director: Banjong Pisanthanakun

Written by: Chantavit Dhanasevi, Na Hong-jin, Choi Cha-won

Produced by: GDH 559, Showbox, Northern Cross

Casts:Narilya Gulmongkolpech, Sawanee Utoomma, Sirani Yankittikan, Yasaka Chaisorn 

Language: Thai

Genre: Horror

SYNOPSIS: 

In a clash of superstition and rationalism, a shaman priestess, Nim (Sawanee Utoomm), goes home to the Thai countryside, only to witness her niece, Mink (Narilya Gulmongkolpech) succumb to demonic possession. 

REVIEW:

In 2004, Banjong Pisanthanakun and then-collaborator Parkpoom Wongpoom kickstarted their directorial careers with Shutter (2004) a supernatural thriller that kind of flipped the industry a little and was so effective till it’s been remade three times to date. Marking his return to straight horror after a few very successful romance flicks and one more comedically slanted genre film, Pee Mak (2013), this demonic possession mockumentary is a thoroughly affecting horror film that sets out to voice out relevant cultural issues in Thailand. 

The Medium tells the story of a Thai documentary team who are traveling to the region of Isan to follow the life of the local medium Nim (Sawanee Utoomma). She claims that she was possessed by the spirit of Ba Yan, a deity that the people of Isan worship and a significant presence in Nim’s family as she has been possessing the women there for generations. Being possessed by Ba Yan meant that you were chosen to be a medium for her. Well, that’s what they believe. During the funeral of her brother-in-law, Nim discovers that her niece Mink (Narilya Gulmongkolpech), a happy-go-lucky recruitment officer, has been exhibiting strange behaviours that may hint that she may be possessed by Ba Yan. But through thorough investigation, the more the crew and Nim begin to realize that Mink may be possessed by something else entirely.

The most striking thing about The Medium is its cultural specificity that looks really fresh. The use of found footage is very effective in the film in delivering the punchy scares and heart-curdling suspense that audiences strive for. With a long run time and unhurried pace, Pisanthanakun establishes his characters and conflicts very clearly, notably conflicting views on religion (Catholicism vs. shamanism), the place of gender roles in the world (the men in a family bloodline die as the result of the consequences of their own actions while the women are always destined to be of subservience).

But Pisanthanakun and writer Na do not make their character arc simple. Each of the characters is very well etched which results in an emotionally gripping climax. It is also a bold move for them to express the brutality and darkness of the cultural situation as they explore themes of self-harm, animal cruelty, family incest, religious self-doubt and even cannibalism. 

Pisanthanakun also effectively uses infrared cameras, non-diegetic sounds, handheld camerawork, blood and gore, recognizable moments of hysteria, elongated moments of silence engineered with heart-stopping jump scares to elevate the piece. The medium of found footage/mockumentary style keeps the film more rooted to the ground even if the ideas are big, making it closer for the audience to feel the chaotic situation. 

One memorable setpiece in climax involves a shamanism ritual that intercuts to the afflicted being trapped. The escalation of tension is incredibly gripping and will definitely go down as one of the most disturbing horror film climaxes. However, I just felt that the sudden tonal shift in the second half might seem a little too abrupt for viewers given the more grounded setup.

The film has about 5 to 6 pivotal characters and all of them deliver a solid performance. Narilya and Sawanee should be commended for taking on such a physically demanding role. Especially for the former, I can imagine the trauma she would have gone through acting in the role of Mink who physically evolves and suffers throughout the film. 

The Medium, which blends the elements of supernaturalism, exorcism, and occultism, is a slow-burn horror that explores the vagaries of faith and the slowly intensifying karmic debts that would haunt future generations. The clash between the contrasting ideas of beliefs, tradition, and modernity, and ritualistic folklore shamanism and western Christianity is definitely an interesting topic to discuss on and the film effectively probes that.

VERDICT:

‘The Medium’ is a disturbing, blood-splashing horror mockumentary that blends in the themes of karmic retribution and spiritual confusion quite artfully, resulting in a nightmarish, surprising journey.

CELLULOID METER- 4/5:

Watch the full film on Netflix:

https://www.netflix.com/title/81497415