The tidal wave of Asian horror movies continues with this stylish if slow-moving Korean ghost story set in a girls' high school. Director Equan Choe's Voice begins with the murder of a vocal student, but she doesn't entirely disappear: rather, she haunts the halls as a spirit, only able to communicate with her distraught best friend. Set over the ensuing few days, the plot focuses on unraveling the mystery behind her demise, an investigation that leads to spooky revelations (in flashbacks of the victim's unhappy home life, plus the earlier death of another talented singer) and further violence (the apparent suicide of the music teacher, a strange and depressed woman), as well as lesbian overtones. All of this makes for a convoluted brew that increasingly strains credulity, but Voice compensates somewhat for its narrative weaknesses with visual inventiveness, and it features some striking set-pieces, such as the gruesome death-by-cello-strings of the teacher. Optional. [Note: DVD extras include a “making of” featurette (23 min.) and a trailer. Bottom line: a small but solid extras package for an uneven horror flick.] (F. Swietek)
Voice
Genius, 104 min., in Korean w/English subtitles, not rated, DVD: $24.95 Volume 23, Issue 5
Voice
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