Whispering Corridors Reviews

Scream if you want to go faster...

The first in a series of horror movies from Korea which are connected by the high school theme. Hugely popular in its homeland, 'Whispering Corridors' has also been billed as the film that started the Asian horror boom.

Released in the same year as 'Ringu', 'Whispering Corridors' is certainly far less creepy than its more successful sibling. It just doesn't come across as that kind of movie. Thankfully, for the most part, it also avoids most of the horror conventions which have become somewhat cliched over the last few years.

There's plenty of good stuff here, as a human drama it touches on issues that youngsters can relate too. The feeling of isolation, desperation and the need to fit in. Taken as a horror movie though Whispering corridors falls at every hurdle.

You can't blame over familiarity here, the fact remains that this first chapter of this very popular franchise lacks any real thrills, any decent chills and takes an eternity to get where its going.

Not without its merits but Momento Mori and The Wishing Stairs are certainly superior movies. Whispering corridors needs to make itself heard if its going to prove as popular as anything Hideo Nakata has to offer.

Spooky stuff but no classic

One of the Asian horror films that's swept up in the current craze for all things spooky and Eastern.

Sadly, this one lacks the edge of the recent classics. Reminiscent of 70's English ghost films, this one is definitely watchable but isn't that memorable.

Excellent

Enjoyed this film immensly, well acted and a good storyline. Kept you on the edge of your seat. This film is part of a trilogy set in a girls school. I already have the second (Momento Mori) on order. Do not remember when the third is out, I think it is later this year.

Don't go out of your way.

Supposedly the film that set off the Asian horror collection - the storyline is typically asian horror with traumas in the character's school years. I think worth watching once but not as a special treat - wasn't a fantastic film or a great storyline, and Asia has produced much better films than this subsequently

[Highly rated reviewer]

could do better

This is a weak film by the standards films such as The Eye and Two SIsters have set. It comes across as a sort of episode of Grange Hill with ghosts, there is as much emphasis on the dynamics between the girls than the fact that suicides/deaths are happening at the school. I hope that the fact that no policemen turn up to investigate the deaths nor that teachers are either touching the girls inappropriately if not outright punching them is a fiction for the film rather than what schools are really like in Korea. You've heard of chick-lit put this down as chick-horror.

Didn't think much to it

This had some creepy scenes, but I couldn't quite figure out where the story was going. It seemed a bit abstract. Personally, I wouldn't recommend it.

Suspenseful but now surpassed...

The film which spawned the new wave of Japanese horror now looks and feels dated, there are much better films out there now; one to watch if you appreciate seminal films, but sadly will go unappreciated by most.

Very very slow

Low budget film. Not all that spooky but you'll probably watch it till the end to see just what the Hells going on.

A Korean ghost story

This film turned out to be something other than I expected, which wasn't a bad thing. It's more a supernatural tale than a horror flick, and the all-girl's school setting gives it an otherworldy, unsettling feel. And I didn't guess which character was behind it all until the final revelation. Definitely recommended for fans of Asian chillers.

[Highly rated reviewer]

No scares

Typical early Korean horror set in a girls school - horrendous teachers being murdered revenge-wise by a wronged schoolgirls ghost. Unfortunately very slow narrative and few chills make this a boring watch. Can't recommend this one I'm afraid.