Synopsis
Ahn Tae-jin directed the South Korean psychological horror thriller Nightmare (2022). In the film, Jiyeon, a young woman plagued by nightmares, begins experiencing vivid dreams that encroach on her reality. Her visions, at first benign, spiral into suffocating fear, revealing layered psychological horrors far more intricate and multifaceted than her subconscious.
The film blurs the lines between modern psychological horror and classic Korean elements, dream and reality. Each one of Jiyeon’s nightmares provides harrowing insights into the multifaceted and intricate web of deceit that is her reality, revealing disturbing truths about her existence, her past, the people she loves, and her relationships. In her battle to remain awake, a question that every woman fears comes to the fore. Is she losing her sanity, or is something far darker lurking and preying on her subconscious?
Cast and Characters
Seo Yea-ji as Jiyeon: A woman encapsulated by a relentless torment of nightmares, a blend of delicate and strong.
Kim Kang-woo as Seung-ho: Jiyeon’s boyfriend, whose initially and seemingly supportive persona unravels into something more sinister.
Lee Sun-bin as Hyejin: Jiyeon’s close friend, who, caught in a web of concern and skepticism, helplessly watches her friend spiral downward into a mental abyss.
Supporting Characters – Family, medical professionals, and strangers who appear in Jiyeon’s dreams, each holds symbolic weight.
The performances are emotional, in particular, Seo Yea-ji who portrays the sleep-deprived terror which grounds the supernatural horror in raw human vulnerability.
Direction and Cinematography
Director Ahn Tae-jin combines the surreal with the human grounded to create the horror experience. The use of dim lighting and claustrophobic framing alongside warped sequences creates a sense of unease for the viewer. The use of long takes during the transitions of nightmares gives the impression of being ensnared in a perpetual cycle of fear.
The sound design adds to the feeling of unease with sharp audio cuts of sound and whispering. Silence aids in the feeling of dread too. The use of stillness before sudden movement creates tension.
Themes and Symbolism
Dreams vs. Reality
The focal object of the theme is blurred realities. Jiyeon’s inability to tell the difference between her waking life and her dreams reflects a struggle in the outside world with trauma and breakdowns psychologically.
The Weight of Guilt
The true “nightmare” in Jiyeon’s nightmares lies in deep rooted emotionally charged feelings.
Isolation and Disbelief
With Jiyeon’s experiences being disregarded as fantasies, the film depicts the solitude of mental illness and the ease at which the suffering can be rendered invisible.
Women’s Vulnerability In A Predatory World
Jiyeon’s perpetual state of fear captures women’s experiences of confronting different kinds of dangers, and in relation to Korean modern thrillers, it is a recurring theme.
Reception
Nightmare (2022) was released with mixed-to-positive reviews. Critics praised the performance of Seo Yea-ji and the film’s eerie visuals, although some felt that the narrative became too convoluted in the final part. Nevertheless, horror enthusiasts appreciated the film’s psychological elements combined with supernatural thrills, dubbing it a landmark in modern Korean horror cinema.
It is worth mentioning that international audiences appreciated the film’s local appeal and noted that it was a Korean rendition of some Western classics such as A Tale of Two Sisters (2003) and The Babadook (2014).
Conclusion
More than a horror film, Nightmare (2022) explores the psychological layers of guilt, trauma, and the subconscious. The film is visually haunting with strong performances and layered themes that remain with the viewers long after the credits roll. For fans of supernatural horror intertwined with psychological thrillers, this film is a must-see.
