10 Worthwhile Asian Horror Films Currently Without Remakes

1. The Victim

Year: 2006 Country: Thailand Director: Monthon Arayangcoon

Thailand isn't considered an A-List country for Asian horror by Hollywood, with only one big American remake to its name (2008's Shutter, which was confusingly set in Japan and directed by a Japanese man). But The Victim is a strong entry into the subgenre that's well worth checking out. The story is about Ting, an aspiring young actress who lands a job working in re-enactments of violent crimes staged by the police for the media (a real practice in Thailand). She is good enough at her job that the spirits of the real victims take notice. When she is entrusted with the role of Meen, a supermodel who was apparently murdered by a scorned lover, she thinks of it as her big break - but Meen's ghost is haunting her, desperately trying to help her uncover the real truth behind her death. The Victim is effectively scary in places, and actually even has some satisfying comedic elements in the beginning. It's fast-paced and never boring. But the real reason to watch it is for its great, jaw-dropping twist. I won't dare reveal it here as it's something that really needs to be experienced, but it's easily the best I've seen in a long time. The rest of the movie doesn't really quite live up to that element, but it's still an enjoyable horror romp with a very memorable revelation.