If you thought the documentary horror genre was done,gang rape sex video you need to see The Medium.
Streaming on Shudder, it's the latest from Thai director Banjong Pisanthanakun, who helmed 2004's Shutter. He has co-written The Mediumwith South Korean producer Na Hong-jin, writer/director of Cannes Film Festival favorite The Wailing. In their collaboration, the pair play the atmospheric long game, building a sense of dread slowly but surely, then locking audiences in after it’s too late to bail.
Framed as a (thankfully fictional) documentary, The Mediumfollows a film crew to a small town in the Isan area of northeastern Thailand, where they meet a shaman named Nim (Sawanee Utoomma). She claims to be possessed by a goddess called Ba Yan, who helps locals with blessings and spiritual ailments. For the Isan people, Nim explains, there are good spirits that protect and evil spirits that haunt and cause sickness. When the documentarians ask Nim if she changes her voice or body when possessed by such a spirit, she replies, "You might have watched too much TV. It doesn't have to be like that."
If only.
Nim, her sister Noi (Sirani Yankittikan), and their brother Manit (Yasaka Chaisorn) become concerned when Noi’s daughter Mink (Narilya Gulmongkolpech) begins behaving erratically. Once these actions move to a disturbing, withdrawn, and violent level, Nim and her family suspect they’re dealing with something sinister and supernatural. All the while, the documentary team rolls camera.
The film's first two acts move at a subtle, simmering pace, but the finale is sheer frightening chaos. It's a diabolical move from director Pisanthanakun, who lulls audiences into a sense of security before swiftly pulling the rug out from under us. Sitting at over two hours, the film spends ample time with the characters but keeps the momentum through a sense of foreboding — thanks in part to Chatchai Ponhprapaphan's haunting score. As events escalate, the documentarians' distance to their subjects becomes compromised while they wonder whether they should try to help Mink. This shift is reflected in a mix of their footage and security camera coverage. And in the well-worn tradition of found footage/documentary horror films like Paranormal Activityand The Blair Witch Project, The Mediumsaves the most disturbing moments for last. There's a scene featuring a Hereditary-level reveal that had me sleepless for days.
SEE ALSO: The 8 scariest horror movies on Shudder to keep you up at nightTo convincingly sell the documentary element, the performances in The Mediumneed to be exceptional, and they are. In particular, the three female leads, Gulmongkolpech, Utoomma, and Yankittikan, truly shine. As Mink, Gulmongkolpech undergoes a significant physical transformation, taking on the notoriously tough role of a character undergoing possession. (Just ask The Exorcist's Linda Blair how fun it can absolutely not be.) As the film rolls on, Gulmongkolpech's physicality becomes simply terrifying, bringing all the vibes of Billie Eilish's famously creepyWhen We All Fall Asleep, Where Do We Go?album cover.
For her part, Utoomma is quietly powerful as Nim, who follows methodical spiritual instincts while beginning to question her beliefs. She's given one particular moment when her usual composure is shattered in pure emotional pain. Yankittikan balances her onscreen sister with stubbornness and fierce maternal determination as Noi, not letting anyone tell her what to do in this wildly tempestuous situation.
Ritual and ceremony play a huge part in The Medium.Pisanthanakun places serious importance on both throughout the narrative, as well as the value of spiritual inheritance, with Nim and Noi piecing together a string of mysterious and tragic circumstances connected to their family. Fair warning, The Mediumfeatures some disturbing content. In the same vein as The Exorcistand other possession movies, this film touches on sexual taboos.
If you're looking for something different from Hollywood's version of found footage/documentary horror that nonetheless plays within the parameters, check out The Medium. It's truly frightening in parts, but also delves into family dynamics and the complexities of belief and ritual — and what happens when we question it all.
The Medium is now streaming on Shudder.
While you're there, we've rounded up the best Shudder originals, horror comedies, and the scariest films on Shudder.
Topics Reviews
Mirtha Dermisache and the Limits of Language by Will FenstermakerThe Cornel West–Ta'Ted Lasso' star Hannah Waddingham is announced as Eurovision coStaff Picks: Dorothy, Oz, and ArkansasHow to watch OSU vs. Oregon football without cable: kickoff time, streaming deals, and moreTen Things I Learned from Ursula K. Le GuinMartin Luther King's Radical AnticapitalismWhen Jazz Was Dangerous by Nathaniel RichThe Man Who Spent Four Decades Interviewing Teen StarsHow French Libertines Are Reckoning With #MeTooThe ancestor trend on TikTok, explained.Kindle Paperwhite Black Friday deal: $20 off Kindle PaperwhiteBest Black Friday TV deals 2023The Calla Lilies Are in Bloom AgainLaser tag and John Oliver: The 9 best and funniest tweets of the weekAn Inspired Theft by Ann BeattieThe Man Who Spent Four Decades Interviewing Teen StarsRobot Mop Black Friday deal: Over $150 off iRobot Braava Jet M6How French Libertines Are Reckoning With #MeTooJapanese Tea, Rockets, and Switchblades: Tom Sachs and David Searcy Report: Facebook drone under investigation after 'structural failure' Boys' childhoods are ruined by discovery of Thanksgiving turkey's fate 'Moonlight,' 'American Honey' lead Independent Spirit nominations Donald Trump disavowed the alt Everything you need to know about the new U.S. men's soccer head coach Mom hilariously can't remember the names of her daughter's friends Add emus to the list of Australian wildlife you should totally avoid Donald Trump releases his first presidential message on YouTube Australia has some messed up stories behind some of its place names Yeah, the iPhone 7 is boring, but who cares? I still love it. Earth's mini moon could be a chunk of the big moon, scientists say Welp, there's now a $130 'hipster nativity set' People are completely horrified by this 'Hail Trump' video Airline in hot water as teen sues for burn damages to his groin regions Kanye West's terrible, horrible, no good, very bad 2016 New 'League of Legends' champion Camille revealed Facebook is testing a feature that'll help you find free public Wi Jet Black Samsung Galaxy S7 may be coming to soothe your Note7 blues U.S. Soccer fires head coach Jurgen Klinsmann 13 times 'Overwatch' Doge won 'Play of the Game' in our hearts
2.7563s , 10521.0234375 kb
Copyright © 2025 Powered by 【gang rape sex video】,Miracle Information Network