This movie is a good mix of horror (supernatural and human nature), yet some light hearted moments and some really heart warming ones. I really liked it.
11 Reviews
Slightly better.
Patient44424 January 2015
The other person that commented here seems to be quite excited about the movie, I just finished it, and I have to say, I'm not quite on the same page. Or the second. Maybe the third!
So, is this a horror, comedy, romance movie? No! It has horror elements, has a lot of romance, but comedy.. a goof here and there doesn't make it humorous, so don't expect a black comedy. It's just a more touching Asian horror, not too hard to predict, way too many flashes between past and present but overall a production that I graded with a 5! You will notice that very few people are involved in this movie, almost no extras whatsoever, the surroundings are cheap and isolated, so budget did limit the production. I think it could have been better but also, I do believe it made the most of what it had.
So, will I recommend it to an Asian horror cinema fan? Sure, it's a nice add-on, therefore go for it. Seen a lot more worse than this, so fear not, it's an OK movie. Without saying more, just watch it, you'll probably thank me later, by pressing that "Yes" button!
Cheers!
So, is this a horror, comedy, romance movie? No! It has horror elements, has a lot of romance, but comedy.. a goof here and there doesn't make it humorous, so don't expect a black comedy. It's just a more touching Asian horror, not too hard to predict, way too many flashes between past and present but overall a production that I graded with a 5! You will notice that very few people are involved in this movie, almost no extras whatsoever, the surroundings are cheap and isolated, so budget did limit the production. I think it could have been better but also, I do believe it made the most of what it had.
So, will I recommend it to an Asian horror cinema fan? Sure, it's a nice add-on, therefore go for it. Seen a lot more worse than this, so fear not, it's an OK movie. Without saying more, just watch it, you'll probably thank me later, by pressing that "Yes" button!
Cheers!
More affecting as a drama than as a horror movie.
el712 November 2021
Warning: Spoilers
Had a rough day? Not sure if you want to curl up with some ice cream and a tearjerker or seek catharsis with a horror movie? Watch Mourning Grave and you'll get some of both. More of the former than the latter though, truthfully.
Mourning Grave follows the misadventures of In-Su, a high school student who can see ghosts. He's transferred to schools literally all over the place trying to find a school where he can exist in relative peace, only to be noticed by ghosts again and again, and not long afterward be noticed by bullies. The movie's plot picks up when he returns to his hometown to lay some old ghosts to rest, only to meet a new one. The ghost of a teenage girl insists on befriending him, and as he finds his hometown high school is under the control of bullies, he can really use a friend. In fact, the summary on this site for this movie is inaccurate, because the hauntings that proceed to put the horror aspect of the plot in motion are not happening to his friends, they are happening to his school enemies.
But I'm digressing. In-Su slowly falls in love with his mystery ghost girl friend while at school, a violent ghost in a mask begins picking off his classmates. I think you'll guess the twist long before it comes, but the whole of the piece is still emotionally wrenching. There is some much needed comic relief via In-Su's uncle and a virgin ghost who won't leave him alone, but the bulk of the film is concerned with In-Su's budding relationship with the girl ghost, and the relation of that to the terrible haunting at his school.
If you want to be terrified or you can't stand movies that make you cry, Mourning Grave is probably not one you'll enjoy, but if you like a little cheese and tragedy with your horror, you might like this one.
Mourning Grave follows the misadventures of In-Su, a high school student who can see ghosts. He's transferred to schools literally all over the place trying to find a school where he can exist in relative peace, only to be noticed by ghosts again and again, and not long afterward be noticed by bullies. The movie's plot picks up when he returns to his hometown to lay some old ghosts to rest, only to meet a new one. The ghost of a teenage girl insists on befriending him, and as he finds his hometown high school is under the control of bullies, he can really use a friend. In fact, the summary on this site for this movie is inaccurate, because the hauntings that proceed to put the horror aspect of the plot in motion are not happening to his friends, they are happening to his school enemies.
But I'm digressing. In-Su slowly falls in love with his mystery ghost girl friend while at school, a violent ghost in a mask begins picking off his classmates. I think you'll guess the twist long before it comes, but the whole of the piece is still emotionally wrenching. There is some much needed comic relief via In-Su's uncle and a virgin ghost who won't leave him alone, but the bulk of the film is concerned with In-Su's budding relationship with the girl ghost, and the relation of that to the terrible haunting at his school.
If you want to be terrified or you can't stand movies that make you cry, Mourning Grave is probably not one you'll enjoy, but if you like a little cheese and tragedy with your horror, you might like this one.
Excellent story, well done, much better than many I've seen
imfallenangelyahoo6 April 2015
Warning: Spoilers
It's the story about a boy that can see ghosts, but more to it, he needs to figure out what his ability can do.
Going back to his old house to live with his uncle, he must face both his past and his present.
I enjoyed this movie quite well as it did separate itself from most of this genre. Some parts are obvious, others not directly. Some movies do not need a huge budget to tell a story and offer a feel of "reality" and this was one of them.
I found it well paced, the development of the main characters was done well for the most part.
It didn't overdramatize the events and it wasn't a "blow the speakers up for a jump" type of movie... the movie emphasized on creating a bit of suspense instead of just going for the cheap jumps for the scary parts. A bit of comedy added actually worked.
Overall, it's movie that was well worth watching for me, it wasn't trying to be overcomplicated, revolved around a simple story without a bunch of sub-stories that so many try to do (and fail to do) in many movies of late.
Going back to his old house to live with his uncle, he must face both his past and his present.
I enjoyed this movie quite well as it did separate itself from most of this genre. Some parts are obvious, others not directly. Some movies do not need a huge budget to tell a story and offer a feel of "reality" and this was one of them.
I found it well paced, the development of the main characters was done well for the most part.
It didn't overdramatize the events and it wasn't a "blow the speakers up for a jump" type of movie... the movie emphasized on creating a bit of suspense instead of just going for the cheap jumps for the scary parts. A bit of comedy added actually worked.
Overall, it's movie that was well worth watching for me, it wasn't trying to be overcomplicated, revolved around a simple story without a bunch of sub-stories that so many try to do (and fail to do) in many movies of late.
I Spit On Your Mourning Grave
cahidi13 February 2024
Warning: Spoilers
I just love horror movies about revenge. It's always satisfying watching bullies getting what they deserved. Although personally, I think that this movie was still too timid in its revenge method. It could use more torturing and tormenting. Those bullies died way too fast and too painless. If I were Sae Hee's father, I would've gone I Spit On Your Grave on all of them. Or maybe doing it Jigsaw style, with some fancy torturing machines. But still, this movie hits the spot. I'm still satisfied with the ending. Not to mention that it's well acted and pretty creepy. To all horror movie fans, this one is a must see!
A less than mediocre swing and miss in the South Korean cinema...
paul_haakonsen18 June 2018
Needless to say that I instantly jumped at the chance to watch "Mourning Grave" (aka "Sonyeogoedam") when I was given the chance, because I do like South Korean cinema quite a lot.
Right, well I must admit that this was a rather scrambled mess of a storyline, that didn't really have much coherency to it. And that sent a terrible blow to the movie; a blow that it never recovered from.
"Mourning Grave" is blessed with some good acting performances from an equally good cast. However, they were struggling an uphill and losing battle against a terrible storyline and equally terrible plot. And the fact that the storytelling in the movie was unfathomably slow really didn't help lift up the movie experience in any way.
The movie did have adequate effects, though.
This movie was not scary, not in the least bit. It was more of a supernatural drama than it was a horror movie. So the disappointment left a bitter tinge in my mouth once the movie ended.
Right, well I must admit that this was a rather scrambled mess of a storyline, that didn't really have much coherency to it. And that sent a terrible blow to the movie; a blow that it never recovered from.
"Mourning Grave" is blessed with some good acting performances from an equally good cast. However, they were struggling an uphill and losing battle against a terrible storyline and equally terrible plot. And the fact that the storytelling in the movie was unfathomably slow really didn't help lift up the movie experience in any way.
The movie did have adequate effects, though.
This movie was not scary, not in the least bit. It was more of a supernatural drama than it was a horror movie. So the disappointment left a bitter tinge in my mouth once the movie ended.
It's a ghost movie. Take that as you will.
I_Ailurophile15 October 2021
The makeup and blood look great. The music is good. We get atmosphere; moments that are alternately acutely jarring and unsettling, heartwarming, or heartbreaking; emotional heft; and strong thematic content. Characters have varying personalities - alive or dead, they may tend toward kindness, cruelty, or something in between. It's solidly written all-around, with fine performances, carefully considered scenes and shots, and good use of lighting.
However well done it is - as suitable as every component part may be - a great deal of it also feels very ordinary, common, to the point that I'm altogether indifferent. For every great shot, there's an instance of tawdry camerawork. For every jolting chill, there's convention bordering on pablum. Some expression of feelings are duly sentimental, others are maudlin. So it is with the music, performances, scene writing, and so on.
Please don't misunderstand: I don't dislike this movie - not at all. I just find it to overall be very average. The strong themes and emotional gravity underlying the film would seem to elevate it ever so slightly above its countless brethren. To my great pleasure, the climax is also surprisingly well written and executed. On the other hand - are these things not also true of similar titles? Moreover, I freely admit that maybe I just missed something, but there are a few points that seem to me to lack clarity, and it's uncertain who someone is, or how they entered the story.
'Mourning grave' is a ghost movie, and a reasonably well made one. It's not bad - it's pretty good, generally - but it's not in any way special. There's nothing about it that leaps out at me as a great highlight, something marking the feature as an essential must-see, or as a bottom-dwelling clunker. If you like ghost movies, you'll like this one, too. If you don't like ghost movies, this one won't change your mind. C'est la vie.
However well done it is - as suitable as every component part may be - a great deal of it also feels very ordinary, common, to the point that I'm altogether indifferent. For every great shot, there's an instance of tawdry camerawork. For every jolting chill, there's convention bordering on pablum. Some expression of feelings are duly sentimental, others are maudlin. So it is with the music, performances, scene writing, and so on.
Please don't misunderstand: I don't dislike this movie - not at all. I just find it to overall be very average. The strong themes and emotional gravity underlying the film would seem to elevate it ever so slightly above its countless brethren. To my great pleasure, the climax is also surprisingly well written and executed. On the other hand - are these things not also true of similar titles? Moreover, I freely admit that maybe I just missed something, but there are a few points that seem to me to lack clarity, and it's uncertain who someone is, or how they entered the story.
'Mourning grave' is a ghost movie, and a reasonably well made one. It's not bad - it's pretty good, generally - but it's not in any way special. There's nothing about it that leaps out at me as a great highlight, something marking the feature as an essential must-see, or as a bottom-dwelling clunker. If you like ghost movies, you'll like this one, too. If you don't like ghost movies, this one won't change your mind. C'est la vie.
Great Korean movie
eventlaunch25 June 2019
Good Story But Not Scary
Foutainoflife15 September 2018
This wasn't that scary for me but I watch a lot of horror. I guess I might have a tolerance to "scary." This did have a good story that I liked very much. I thought that the majority of the actors did a nice job in their character roles and some of the scenes were shot nicely. This isn't top notch horror but if you are looking for a good ghost movie I'd suggest giving it a chance.
Better than Good - no real spoilers within
spoken19 November 2014
Warning: Spoilers
I sat glued, except when I jumped, to this poignant film about a young man-teen who unwillingly communicates with ghosts, who finds himself in an unusual situation punctuated by a clique of classroom bullies, and feels compelled to assist a "special" friend. The "false end" is so touchingly tender I cried, which surprised the 'ell out of me! If I say anything else I'll spoil something because of the way the film is put together; the viewer is taken back and forth from past to present events until all get tied together with a reasonably logical and acceptable bow.
My favorite "thing" about Mourning Grave (2014) is that in no way did it feel like anything other than a ghost/horror movie. In other words, the stuff you'd find in dramas and romances didn't detract at all.
Oh, and I love the nutty uncle. I want one just like him.
I would call this soft-core, East-Asian horror. Take a chance and enjoy!
My favorite "thing" about Mourning Grave (2014) is that in no way did it feel like anything other than a ghost/horror movie. In other words, the stuff you'd find in dramas and romances didn't detract at all.
Oh, and I love the nutty uncle. I want one just like him.
I would call this soft-core, East-Asian horror. Take a chance and enjoy!
Great movie.
dlmyst-298135 May 2021
I really liked this movie and though I guessed who the ghost was at the start. It was a rollercoaster ride all the way up to the end. I would recommend this movie to anyone that likes horror films. I wish there was a part 2 continuing the story.
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