[Movie Review] The Medium, a Nice Film Nonetheless

A horrifying story of a shaman’s inheritance in the Isan region of Thailand. What could be possessing a family member might not be the Goddess they make it out to be.

• Director
  • Banjong Pisanthanakun
• Writers
  • Chantavit Dhanasevi (story by)
  • Na Hong-jin (original story by)
  • Banjong Pisanthanakun
• Stars
  • Narilya Gulmongkolpech
  • Sawanee Utoomma
  • Sirani Yankittikan

THE REVIEW

It starts off like most horror flicks, slow burn. However it really does seem like the slow burn aspect is quite big here, as this movie along totals 2 hours and 10 mins to watch. After the film crew arrive and start following the newly accepted Shaman, however it seems this ancient spirit has been torturing the family throughout generation after generation. And the only way to overcome this “Ba Yan” spirit from it taking over you, is becoming a shaman, or finding some sort of faith.

As the film goes on it’s lengthy ways to trying to discover what is going on throughout these segments of the family, more cameraman are coming into the aspect of there’s more going on, that they want to add more camera’s to catch more evidence to back up that now, Mink, is becoming possessed by this Ba Yan. However now as it gets worse and worse with Mink, it seems there most be more than just Ba Yan involved.

As we get toward the end of preparing for a big ritual to help Mink regain her body, it takes a lot out of everyone. And well, with or without people, it most still be performed even though there are strict rules. And if something happens, it could jeopardize the whole thing.

My final thoughts of The Medium, is that the atmosphere is all there to make it look grudgy. The slow burn does take a lot of time to get to the build up of the movie, with some interesting dialogues, poor choices, and well… Scenes we have seen before, The Medium doesn’t bring anything new to the table of Possession films. But it’s fascinating to see the Shaman aspect of Thailand. Hopefully we’ll be able to own a copy down the road from Shudder. As of now, The Medium is a Shudder Exclusive.