HOWLING VILLAGE

Cinemavixion Review

Takashi Shimizu, known for his chilling work on 'The Grudge' series, returns to the director's chair with "Howling Village" (2019), a Japanese horror film that delves into the unsettling legend of a cursed, abandoned village. The narrative follows Kanae, a psychologist with a unique ability to communicate with spirits, as she investigates the infamous 'Howling Village' to uncover her own family's shadowed past. Her personal connection deepens when her brother and his girlfriend find themselves in peril within the village's cursed boundaries. "Howling Village" masterfully blends psychological dread with supernatural scares, drawing on Japanese folklore to create an atmosphere of pervasive unease. While the film received a mixed reception, with Rotten Tomatoes noting a 57% score, its exploration of ancestral trauma and the lingering power of cursed places offers a compelling, albeit disturbing, cinematic experience. Shimizu's direction effectively utilizes visual storytelling and sound design to immerse the audience in Kanae's terrifying journey, making it a noteworthy entry for fans of atmospheric J-horror.