FilmSnobReviews

Title: Incantation
MPAA Rating: TV-MA
Director: Kevin Ko
Starring: Hsuan-yen Tsai, Sin-Ting Huang, Ying-Hsuan Kao
Runtime: 1 hr 50 mins

What It Is: Li Ronan (Tsai) records herself following a series of cursed and fatal events following her and her camera crew breaking a religious taboo six years prior. Determined to get her life together, Li has put in years of work to repair and restore her mental and spiritual health and collects her young daughter Dodo (Huang) to finally stay with her. All is going well until Dodo begins seeing some strange goings-on and shows symptoms of being possessed. Frightened that the curse Li Ronan stumbled across is in action with Dodo, Li Ronan travels back to the village where it all began in an attempt to save Dodo’s life.

What We Think: It’s been a very strong year for Asian horror and found footage! And boy, am I grateful–for those of us who grew up with Blair Witch and random scary movies leaked on Youtube, it’s refreshing to see the genre making a strong comeback (of course, this is mostly due in part to The Medium, and a few other Asian horror films with a strong standing). Incantation’s approach to us is a bit more creative as well, as we’re presented the recordings by a protagonist at the end of her rope trying different and even interactive/meta tactics in order to engage positive karma. Time and time again, it seems like there’s nowhere to turn; a regular person would have no idea what to do with the horrifying circumstances, of which there are many, but our protagonist Li Ronan redeems herself, from charismatic show host to the sickly, resigned, yet resourceful new mother searching for any way to save her kid from her own follies. The setup is simple yet engaging, as the performances and chemistry between mother and child are sweet and believable; we’re wanting to see them bond and be happy together, but unfortunately, an old God has a very different plan in mind. The creeps and scares are effective as the acting feels closer to reality than not, and we’re forced to watch as a little girl is constantly put in jeopardy by powerful, enigmatic forces. The production design is gorgeous, from small, haunting, rural towns, to elaborate altars, to a mazelike cave, to an actually intimidating goddess statue whose face reveal is burned into my memory. All the pieces together make for a perfect storm of found-footage horror, and while it isn’t the most standout or horrifying in recent memory, it’s a good time to be had.

 Our Grade: B, A beautifully constructed, strong contemporary found-footage horror playing on the pressures of parenthood and unstoppable, ancient curses, Incantation is a great addition for any fan of the genre. Standout performances built on elaborate production and art design complete a comfortingly traditional tale of curses and possession with personality and brisk pacing.