‘Strange Frequencies: Taiwan Killer Hospital,’ a decent blend of meta horror, humor

“Strange Frequencies: Taiwan Killer Hospital” | Contributed photo

“Strange Frequencies: Taiwan Killer Hospital” breaks new ground as the first meta-found footage horror film of the Philippines as it attempts to enter the territory by blending traditional horror tropes with a modern format of GoCam-horror. While the execution and dialogues could have been expanded, the film offers a fun cinematic experience that deserves to be enjoyed with peers who like a good blend of jumpscares and comedic timing.

“Strange Frequencies: Taiwan Killer Hospital” is an adaptation of the South Korean box office hit “Gonjiam: Haunted Asylum,” and one of the official entries to the 50th Metro Manila Film Festival (MMFF), which follows a group of Filipino celebrities who goes on a ghost-hunting journey at one of the most haunted places in Taiwan, the notorious Xinglin General Hospital in Tainan City.

The lead stars, led by actor-producer Enrique Gil, Jane de Leon, Alexa Miro, MJ Lastimosa, Rob Gomez, takot reader Raf Pineda, and vlogger Zarckaroo, do a decent job in providing a sense of authenticity considering they do not portray any character but themselves. In giving off the tension vibes, most of them are pretty believable, especially de Leon and Miro.

As the film progresses, the setup promises layers of panic as the characters juggle the blurred lines between fiction and reality. The crew finds themselves trapped inside the hospital, besieged by ghosts and hallucinations despite willingly coming in for “clout” to livestream their journey in an attempt to reach 3 million views.

“Strange Frequencies: Taiwan Killer Hospital”

The meta approach is refreshing as the movie capitalizes on this concept to deliver a balance of jump scares and a commentary on the genre itself. The manner in which the ghosts are depicted is also satisfactorily scary; its pitch black backdrop of not knowing what is in the shadows is effective in delivering the terror and the sense of helplessness the characters radiate as they face the supernatural elements.

Despite the horror imagery, the film’s comedic elements also provide an enjoyable counterbalance to the tension; Pineda’s witty dialogues carry most parts of the film as his situational humor feels natural rather than forced.

However, the film stumbles in its execution amid the innovative premise; the characters lack the complexity needed to elevate the film beyond surface-level entertainment. The meta aspects, while intriguing, are underexplored, leaving the audience yearning for a deeper examination of the horror medium and the story’s moral.

Even if there’s nothing particularly ground-breaking or original about this film considering it’s an adaptation, it still effectively provides a nerve-wracking atmosphere that will make the viewers anxious yet entertained as they watch.

“Strange Frequencies: Taiwan Killer Hospital” is a commendable effort that delivers an enjoyable horror experience with a fair share of frights and laughs. With more creative risks and a deeper exploration of its backstory, it could have been a game changer for the genre.