Phone (폰)

While outdated technology may slightly hinder the tensity of this film, Ahn Byeong-ki's Phone is certainly still able to deliver scares. Released in 2002, the film was able to make use of a technology that was just starting to be adopted by the mainstream.

There are a couple factors that contribute to the horror in this film. On a basic level, there are quite a few instances of shock horror spread throughout the film. Intended to make the audience panic, if only for a second, these instances heighten the intensity of the situation. While some of these moments were predictable, one or two actually took me by surprise. And these moments weren't just random either; they still connected to the story.

The use of technology as a transmission of death is also quite horrific. Phone turns that annoying ringtone that everyone knows into something to be feared. I think the best part about it though is that there was deeper meaning to the horror behind the phone. While the back story might be a bit cheesy, it is a common theme and the audience cane easily understand the gravity of the situation. So, when the spirit possesses the phone to take revenge, it's more believable because of the familiarity of the adultery.  In addition to this, the cinematography accentuated the themes of the film. All of the scenes that relate to the vengeance of either the high schooler or the mother are washed in a cool blue, which highlights the cold, calculated revenge that takes place. And it appears that any connections to the father's adultery are colored in a warm orange color (although this wash isn't as obvious as the blues). I think this was done to hint at the real cause of all this trouble (the mother's attack on the high schooler).

I was quite unsettled by the Electra complex theme that was used in the film as well. I think it's safe to say it's pretty weird to see a five year old girl try to make out with her father. Eun Seo-woo (the little girl) does a terrific job acting like a demonic high schooler. Her facial expressions (eyes in particular) were quite unsettling-- you expect the child to have a baby face, but once possessed she does nothing but glare at her mother.

Phone is a pretty decent film with a few good scares thrown in. While not on the same level as other Korean horrors like A Tale of Two Sisters or Bunshinsaba, it is definitely worth a watch.