The Thai horror film "Langjong" was written and produced by Na Hong-jin, the director known for the film "The Wailing".

It tells the story of 'Ming', a young woman who is possessed by evil spirits, the result of crimes committed by her ancestors. The film was released to mixed reviews, with some critics criticizing it for its excessive violence and gratuitous gore. Personally, I found the film to be overly disturbing and even experienced a headache due to the shaky camera shots and the use of fake documentary style. Consequently, I left the theater halfway through, an unusual experience for me.

However, the most powerful scene in the film, in my opinion, was the one where 'Ming' talks to the cameraman and the shaman in the office.

The scene is set in a brightly lit office with white walls and a pink notice board, creating a cheerful and ordinary atmosphere. The presence of a young woman, radiant with a bright smile, gives the scene an air of normalcy and familiarity. The scene is especially powerful because it highlights the contrast between 'Ming's' initial innocence and her later transformation into a violent and terrifying figure.

This scene also serves as a reminder that the smiling person before the camera is someone's daughter, someone's family member. As the film progresses, we witness 'Ming' perpetrating acts of violence, her actions driven by the evil spirits that possess her. The people who restrain her limbs are her relatives and family, and the horrifying demons that consume her body are the consequences of the sins committed by her ancestors.

Reminds me of the violation experiment

In the field of social psychology, breaching experiments are designed to expose the underlying norms and expectations of social interactions by intentionally violating those norms.

Imagine you're standing in line at a coffee shop, waiting to place your order. Suddenly, someone cuts in front of you and orders their drink before you. In that instant, we become aware of the social rules that govern our lives, and we make decisions about how to respond. It reveals that we are deeply influenced by the social worlds we inhabit.

It's actually a heavy sense of individual presence

Although "Langjong" is a horror film for me, the horror doesn't come from the supernatural elements but rather from the realization that the person we encounter is a product of their family lineage, connected by countless invisible threads.

Ultimately, the film made me reflect on the cyclical nature of life, the ongoing process of beginning and ending each day. It also made me realize the importance of taking responsibility for our present and the impact our actions have on the future.