Directed
by Derek Nguyen, Starring: Kate Nhung, Jean-Michel Richaud, Rosie Fellner.
Horror, Vietnam, 2016, 105mins, Cert 15.Set in
Vietnam in 1953, first-time director Derek Nguyen serves up an intriguing
gothic horror period drama (with just a few too many jump-scares).
Linh
(Kate Nhung), a bedraggled young woman, pitches up out of the rain seeking a
housemaid position at the vast French colonial mansion owned by Captain
Sebastien Laurent (Jean-Michel Richaud). Competition for the vacancy is
non-existent as both the house and surrounding grounds which make up the Sa Cat
rubber plantation are rumoured to be haunted by both the Captain’s late wife
and the former mistreated plantation workers. Having ingratiated herself into
the minimally staffed mansion, it isn’t long before romance blooms between Linh
and Captain Laurent, which seemingly proves to be the catalyst for the spirits
of the dead to rise seeking revenge...
Shades
of REBECCA then with the colonial mansion standing in for Manderley, the
usurping of the deceased first lady of the mansion, and a creepy Mrs Danvers-like
housekeeper.
The
ghostly manifestations are of the customary J-horror variety. (The screeching
apparition reminded me at times of the horror parody trailer HANDJOB CABIN!) This
is somewhat redeemed however by a late twist to the deadly appearances of the
spectral ex-wife seemingly risen from the drowned depths of the estate’s lake.
Sumptuous
production design and slick 2.35:1 photography make the most of the atmospheric
period setting, whilst the plot utilises the historical/political backdrop to
deliver an interesting take on the traditional gothic romance.
Whilst
the jump-scares serve to gift the trailer’s editor with material to hard-sell
the supernatural elements, they also act as a (partial) red herring when the
true picture of revenge is revealed underneath the veil.
***(out of 5*)
Paul
Worts
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