Movie Title: 가발 (The Wig)
Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ (6/10)
The Wig is a horror film with a dramatic twist, focusing on two sisters: Su-Hyun, recovering from chemotherapy, and Ji-Hyun, who is mute due to a past accident. The movie begins as Ji-Hyun, hoping to restore Su-Hyun’s confidence after her hair loss, gives her a long, elegant wig. This seemingly thoughtful gesture sets the stage for a series of unsettling occurrences.
After Su-Hyun puts on the wig, her physical health and appearance improve noticeably. She becomes more energetic and outgoing, but soon her behavior shifts in disturbing ways, putting a strain on the sisters’ relationship. Ji-Hyun grows increasingly uneasy as Su-Hyun’s personality changes, especially when she attempts to seduce Ji-Hyun’s ex-boyfriend, Ki Suk.
As the tension escalates, Ji-Hyun tries to intervene by removing the wig, which causes Su-Hyun’s health to deteriorate rapidly, leading to her re-hospitalization. Realizing the wig’s influence isn’t kind, Ji-Hyun investigates its origins, uncovering a haunting secret connected to its past. The film gradually reveals the emotional baggage and shared tragedies of both sisters through flashbacks and revelations.
The cast delivers strong performances, with Chae Min-Seo portraying Su-Hyun’s vulnerability and her unsettling transformation, while Yoo Sun brings depth to Ji-Hyun’s protective yet frustrated character. Their chemistry makes the sisters’ emotional journey believable. Bang Joong Hyun, as Ki Suk, fits his role but remains underdeveloped as a character.
Story-wise, “The Wig” balances horror and melodrama, leaning more on emotional drama than traditional scares. The movie gradually reveals the sisters’ troubled pasts and present challenges, creating suspense. The pacing is inconsistent, with emotional scenes lingering too long and horror elements moving too quickly. Although side characters show promise when first introduced, they ultimately lack significant development.
Technically, the film stands out for its polished production and crisp visuals tinted with grey, intensifying the overall muted tone. However, the frequent use of flashbacks and time jumps can sometimes confuse viewers, particularly when they do not clearly contribute to the story.
Basically, “The Wig” isn’t your typical horror flick full of jump scares or gore. Instead, it mixes personal tragedy with some creepy supernatural stuff, and it’s got great acting and some really cool visuals. The movie might drag in some parts and the characters aren’t super deep, but it’s got a cool story and lots of emotional twists. If you’re into dramatic horror movies that mess with your head, you should definitely check it out.