★ 8 / 10
If you like researching for lists of horror
Gabriel S
If you like researching for lists of horror films to watch, you might have stumbled upon Shutter a few times in recommendations. Eventually, you subdued to…
If you like researching for lists of horror films to watch, you might have stumbled upon Shutter a few times in recommendations. Eventually, you subdued to these lists and decided to see for yourself if this flick is all worth it.
When the credits rolled, you realized it was worth it.
Shutter follows boyfriend and girlfriend Tun and Jane after they got themselves into a hit-and-run. Jane is trying to come to terms, while Tun seems to just want to shrug it off and move on. That is when Tun, a photographer, starts taking some messy pictures and getting into the world of picture haunting—well, and haunting in general.
Shutter is Asian horror at its peak performance. The early 2000s saw the rise of consolidated names that would eventually turn into big franchises like The Ring and The Grudge, and Shutter was trying to get its spot in this wagon.
So you might wonder what happened that Shutter remained a standalone. And one that might not have caught all eyes (even though gross worldwide is over 7mil, but it had its runway until 2025, right?)
For starters, Shutter is the feature-length debut of directors Banjong Pisanthanakun and Parkpoom Wongpoom. Later, they would start producing a series of entries in underground horror, ending with The ABCs of Death or something like that, good stuff but not mainstream.
To make matters worse, Shutter caught the attention of Hollywood producers who thought it would be a good idea to adapt this work with model actors and actresses that go beyond regular human looks, adding some spice of sexuality and all crap Americans seem to like. The adaptation didn't go well, hence the even deeper dig into obscurity.
A shame if you consider Shutter has a good story. And a creepy one too, one might add. You will get your fair share of Asian ghost waifus and some real MFers and plot twists, plot twists all the way. When you think all is done, another twist and well oh well we are back on track.
With an ending worth it to the story's standards, Shutter is one of those nice lil Asian gems horror fanatics appreciate.
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★ 9 / 10
Decently creepy, a continuously unfolding premise that draws
Bianca L
Decently creepy, a continuously unfolding premise that draws you in, and the best horror movie ending I've ever seen.
Decently creepy, a continuously unfolding premise that draws you in, and the best horror movie ending I've ever seen.
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The best horror THAI movie ever.