The Medium (2021) Review 👻🔮💀

Overview

Director: Banjong Pisanthanakun
Genre: Horror, Mystery, Thriller
Language: Thai
Runtime: 131 minutes

The Medium (Rang Zong) is a spine-chilling Thai-South Korean supernatural horror film that blends shamanistic traditions with deeply unsettling scares. Produced by Na Hong-jin (The Wailing), this found-footage-style movie explores themes of faith, possession, and familial curses, leaving viewers haunted long after the credits roll.

Plot Summary (Spoiler-Free)

The film follows a documentary crew investigating the life of Nim, a medium in Thailand who channels the spirit of a local deity. When her niece Mink begins exhibiting strange and disturbing behavior, Nim suspects a possession. As the crew delves deeper into the family’s history, they uncover dark secrets and a curse that threatens to consume them all.

Key Highlights

👁️ Documentary Style:
The mockumentary format adds an unsettling sense of realism, immersing viewers in the unfolding horror. The handheld camera work and raw interviews create a chilling atmosphere.

🌌 Cultural Roots:
The film authentically portrays Thai shamanistic rituals and beliefs, offering a unique cultural perspective that enhances its depth and originality.

🎭 Outstanding Performances:
Narilya Gulmongkolpech (Mink) delivers a harrowing performance, transitioning seamlessly between vulnerability and terrifying intensity.

🎥 Cinematography and Atmosphere:
The film’s rural Thai setting is both beautiful and eerie, with moody lighting and foreboding landscapes that contribute to its dread-filled tone.

💀 Unrelenting Horror:
From psychological tension to graphic supernatural encounters, The Medium keeps the scares coming. It skillfully builds suspense, leading to a terrifying and chaotic climax.

Strengths

• Unique Cultural Perspective: The movie stands out by exploring Thai spiritualism and folklore, making it a refreshing take in the horror genre.
• Effective Scares: The film masterfully combines slow-building dread with shocking moments of horror, appealing to fans of both psychological and visceral terror.
• Emotional Depth: Beneath the scares lies a tragic story of family, faith, and sacrifice, adding layers to the narrative.

Weaknesses

❗ Slow Pacing: The film takes its time to build up the story, which might feel sluggish to viewers expecting constant action.
❗ Graphic Content: The final act is intense and disturbing, which may be too much for sensitive audiences.
❗ Familiar Tropes: While the cultural elements are unique, the possession storyline and documentary style might feel derivative to seasoned horror fans.

Iconic Scenes (Spoiler-Free):

• Mink’s unsettling behavior escalating from eerie to outright horrifying.
• Ritual scenes that combine authenticity with deeply disturbing imagery.
• A chaotic, nerve-shredding finale that leaves viewers breathless.

Overall Impression

The Medium (2021) is a standout horror film that fuses cultural authenticity with unrelenting terror. It’s not just a story about possession but a haunting exploration of faith, family, and the thin line between devotion and madness. While the pacing might test your patience, the payoff is worth it for those seeking a deeply unsettling and unique horror experience.

✨ Rating: 8.5/10

Should You Watch It?
Yes, if you love atmospheric, culturally rich horror films that blend psychological tension with supernatural thrills. Just be prepared for a dark and intense journey.