Plot: Communist and leftist books were banished in early 60s Taiwan, but a covert book club in a strict boarding school is spreading these ideologies regardless. One day, the leader of the club is apprehended and dragged out of the school. Someone spilled the beans, and the remaining students try to understand what happened.
Watches
April 12, 2025
A stylish horror film told in three acts. The film isn't too scary, in part because it sticks closely to the genre clichés that have been defining Asian horror for the past two decades. But the film is very atmospheric, and there's plenty of intrigue beyond the pure horror scenes, so the net result is positive.
The cinematography is lush, the performances are strong, and the plot structure is smart, with enough revelations and minor twists that kept me interested. The CG was a tad disappointing, and I wish the core horror moments had been a bit tenser, but all in all, this was a very capable film.