The Tag-Along

The 2015 Taiwanese horror movie "The Tag-Along" is a gruesome, unsettling journey, packed with terrifying supernatural encounters. Starring Wei-Ning Hsu, River Huang, and Yin-Shang Liu, this chilling tale draws heavily from Taiwanese folklore and urban legends, primarily from the chilling tale of the little girl in red that has a haunting presence in the local belief system. Directed by Wei-Hao Cheng, this horror gem expertly melds traditional Eastern ghost elements with an innovative narrative and strong characters, harking back to the heyday of Asian horror.

The riveting premise revolves around radio DJ and sceptic Wei (River Huang) and his carefree, shopping-obsessed girlfriend, Yi-Chen (Wei-Ning Hsu). Their live-in relationship is not entirely smooth, and disagreements often come to the fore, with Wei’s commitment-phobia being a constant point of tension. Meanwhile, Wei is anxiously concerned about his estranged grandmother (Yin-Shang Liu) who worries the couple with her mysterious disappearances.

The uneasy normalcy of their lives takes an uncanny turn when they discover an old tape, spotted with haunting visuals of Wei's grandmother followed by a strange little girl in red. The innocent appearance of this girl is deceptive, and her sinister presence gradually begins to infiltrate their lives. As more and more grisly and unexplained occurrences throw their everyday existence into chaos, Yi-Chen gets entangled in a frightening ordeal that rapidly spirals out of control.

The plot balances the slow-burning terror with the rich character development of Wei and Yi-Chen, whose relationship is put to the test in this dire situation. The movie pushes the terrifying boundaries of the genre, exploiting the fear of the unknown while also embedding a narrative of love, sacrifice, and family ties.

Much of the eerie and ominous atmospheric backdrop in "The Tag-Along" is created by its haunting cinematography. The expert lens of Chung-Pin Chien brings stark emotions, dense forests, narrow alleys and old traditional houses to life on the screen with an aesthetic realism that adds an immersive allure to scenes. Sequences set in the dense, creepy forests are especially nerve-jangling, filled with palpable dread and tension.

"The Tag-Along" also showcases a remarkable sense of sound design. The eerie background score created by Rockid Lee and the terrifying sound effects amplify the horror elements considerably, enhancing the film's sinister tone. These chilling audio clues successfully add to the movie's electrifying aspect, making viewers anticipate and dread what might be lurking around the corner.

Significantly, the happenings in the film are associated with the Taiwanese urban legend of the "little girl in red." Her eerie presence in the film is based on the region's mythology of malevolent spirits preying on those who dare to venture far into the wilderness. The film beautifully plays with the element of fear of such sinister entities that are present, but whose existence cannot be rationally proven.

In terms of acting performances, both River Huang and Wei-Ning Hsu deliver standout performances. Wei-Ning Hsu, in particular, gracefully carries a considerable part of the film on her shoulders. Her believable transformation from a carefree shopaholic girl to an ardent fighter in the face of an unspeakable horror is praiseworthy. Yin-Shan Liu too, as the enigmatic and somewhat scary grandmother, leaves a significant impact.

In summary, "The Tag-Along" masterfully blends the use of old folklore and contemporary context into a chilling narrative that captivates its audience with its attention to detail, chilling soundtrack, and emotionally rich character development. It is an expertly crafted and deeply unsettling horror journey that would appeal to aficionados of the Asian horror genre. Guaranteed to keep you on the edge of your seat, the movie is a must-watch for those who wish to experience the true essence of Taiwanese folklore associated with the supernatural world.