Gonjiam: Haunted Asylum

Gonjiam: Haunted Asylum is a 2018 South Korean found footage horror film directed by Jung Bum-shik. The film stars Wi Ha-joon, Yoo Je-Yoon, and Seung-Wook Lee, along with a host of other Korean actors who add depth and gravity to the ensemble. Gonjiam: Haunted Asylum is created in the style of found footage films like "The Blair Witch Project" and "Paranormal Activity" series. However, it's important to note that the film could easily stand its ground due to its unique elements and captivating storyline.

In the film, Ha-joon, portrayed by Wi Ha-joon, is the leader of a horror-themed online streaming show. For his latest project, Ha-joon assembles a team of enthusiasts to investigate Gonjiam Psychiatric Hospital, an institution infamous for its chilling back story. The hospital, which has been abandoned since the 1970s, is considered one of the most haunted places in South Korea. This theme is made to resonate with real-life sentiments as Gonjiam Hospital is considered one of the scariest places on Earth by CNN Travel.

The show's premise is simple – the crew will break into the hospital, set up their camera equipment, and then livestream

the team exploring the eerie, abandoned building. They hope that their daredevil antics within the notorious location will ultimately help them achieve a record number of views. However, what they thought would just be a novelty ride for their viewers quickly takes a harrowing turn as they find out firsthand why Gonjiam Hospital is feared by locals and ghost hunters alike.

Gonjiam: Haunted Asylum excels in creating a pervading sense of unease throughout the film. As the crew members start exploring the deeper recesses of the building, an atmosphere of raw terror unfurls. The crew's interactions with their remote viewing audience add another layer of horror, with their fear slowly seeping through the screen and into the audience's psyche. The use of improvisation by the actors drives up the suspense factor, infusing a realistic sense of dread and terror.

Director Jung Bum-shik meticulously blends horror, mystery, and psychological drama to offer a gripping narrative. The film does not solely rely on jump scares or gruesome images to rattle its audiences, but makes good use of its setting to create an atmosphere of dread. If anything, the Gonjiam Hospital itself becomes a central character in the film, fostering an exquisite aura of impending macabre.

Wi Ha-joon gives a particularly standout performance among the ensemble cast. Each actor lends credibility to their respective roles, making for a collective performance that appears natural and unstaged. The genuine reactions and interactions amongst the characters are another highlight of the film, underpinning the found footage format.

The film also pushes the envelope when it comes to its technical elements. There's an inventive utilization of Go-Pro cameras and drones to capture the ghostly interior of the hospital building. This, along with claustrophobic POV shots, unsettling sound effects, and well-timed lighting, enhances the bone-chilling vibe of the movie intensifying the horror to palpitating extremes.

However, Gonjiam: Haunted Asylum goes beyond supernatural horror. While dealing with the theme of haunting, the film subtly depicts the human eagerness for thrill-seeking entertainment and its inevitable repercussions. It beautifully illustrates how the blurring boundary between reality and cyber illusion can lead to disastrous consequences.

In summary, Gonjiam: Haunted Asylum is a gripping horror film that makes optimal use of the found footage trope to deliver jump scares and goosebump-inducing moments. The film emanates a palpable sense of dread and offers a terrifying as well as realistic depiction of a haunted asylum. It pushes boundaries with its technical prowess and its talented ensemble cast, and proves once again why South Korean cinema remains a tour de force when it comes to horror films. If you're a fan of the genre, this one is not to be missed.