Honestly, if you haven’t watched any horror films from Asia you’re totally missing out on a lot of great films. Some of the great films you probably have seen or heard in Hollywood: The Grudge (2004), The Pulse (2006), Dark Water (2005) and more. The westernized version of Asian horror films will never be great as the originals and watching these films will make you love horror even more. If you are someone like me who rarely gets scared from watching a horror film, you should definitely check out this list.
Here’s a list of five strange horror films you should definitely watch:
1. Ju-On: The Grudge (2002)
Do I have to explain? This movie is just a mere classic. I mean it’s one of those films that you either like or do not like it. If you like strange and creepy stuff, you’ll like this. I recommend watching the subsequent films after this one as well.
2. Battle Royale (2002)
When The Hunger Games trilogy came out in theaters, many people compared The Hunger Games to Battle Royale. It’s about a group of 9th graders who are sent to an empty and desolated island where they are given the basic necessities of survival but there’s a catch: they have to kill each other. The last one is allowed to leave the island and go back home.
Technically this cult classic isn’t horror more like a thriller, regardless everyone should watch it.
3. Suicide Club (2001)
One of the best horror films I believe, it’s about a series of group suicides (typically women) plaguing all over Japan that is investigated by three detectives. Sion Sono, the director of Suicide Club, is known for his meaningful style of horror and one of those directors that make you think.
4. Strange Circus (2005)
Another film by Sion Sono? Yes, this film is a little different than the other films I’ve mentioned. It has a very grotesque and gut-wrenching story on a young girl and it might not seem like a great film because of the storyline, however, Sono doesn’t create these films for no reason. It has a meaning and you’ll probably won’t finish it because of how appalling the film run. It’s a film that isn’t a lot of people’s cup of tea. So, if you like or interested in real horror through an artist like Sion Sono, then this one is for you.
5. A Tale of Two Sisters (2003)
You might be familiar with the remake The Uninvited, but this one is much better. It’s about a tale of a young girl, institualionized in a mental hospital, reunites with her sister once again and returns back home with her. While they’re back home trying to live the life they used to have, they experience eery and strange events in the house.
Of course, there are many great Asian horror films out there. But, I believe this list will get you started in the realm of Asian horror!
