Asia is known for showing terrifying horror beyond creepy sound effects, jumpscare, and spooky activities. Backing strong folklore stories, Asian horror has differences from Western horror.
Unlike Hollywood horror movies, Asian horror is much more based on their culture, myths, and urban legends. This gives an authentic experience to anyone who is into watching these kinds of movies.
For those who enjoy the horror genre, a wide range of horror movies are lined up on Netflix to stream.
So if you are feeling brave enough and want to enjoy the real spooky feelings, Netflix has some of the best Asian horror movies for you to try.
Incantation ( Taiwan)
Incantation follows the story of Li Ronon, who accidentally awakened a curse after breaking a religious taboo six years back.
This ended up disturbing a powerful, eerie shrine. Li Ronon gains custody of her daughter after a long fight, but at the same time, the curse comes back, targeting her child.
The story combines the different elements of Taiwanese folklore, including mysterious religious and unsettling rituals.
Also, the movie is in found footage and mockumentary style, making it much more exciting to explore the complexities behind the curse and the taboo.
The Whole Truth ( Thailand)
What if, one day, you find a hole that is quite noticeable in a wall of your living room, but it seems like you are the only one who can see it? People around you say they can’t see it, and you are lying about it?
Well, the same thing happens to two siblings in the movie The Whole Truth. They visit their grandparents’ house, where they see the strangled hole in the wall of their living room. What they are not aware of are the sinister secrets and horrifying incidents that are hidden behind them.
Both siblings set their minds to reveal the secret and find the truth that everyone is hiding from them.
The movie is relatively straightforward but gives a solid eerie feeling when you watch. The film is fun and engaging for those who enjoy watching horror movies.
May The Devil Take You ( Indonesia)
Lesmana Wijaya decides to participate in a satanic ritual to gain wealth. Well, he ended up hospitalized due to a terrifying and mysterious illness.
Alfie, his estranged daughter, visits the old family villa to find the hidden truth that might give her the truth.
However, she finds a supernatural truth and the reason behind his father’s sudden wealth and mysterious illness.
The movie has a lot of gore, blood, and brutal horror that is terrifying to watch. Also, it uncovers the consequences of what happens when you sell the soul to the devil.
Roh ( Malaysian)
The movie focuses on a Quran passage where Satan is mentioned. The story is a horror tale rooted in Malaysian folklore and superstitions. Also, it explores the devil’s role in spiritual and religious society.
Roh follows a story of a family which lives in isolation in an empty hut in a deep jungle. One day, they find a little girl lost in the forest and decide to take her in.
But once they do, a series of supernatural incidents start to happen, fighting the whole family every day.
The movie is a slow burn but worth it as it will keep you on the edge of your seat the whole time.
Eerie ( Philippines)
In an all-girls Catholic school, a student dies after suicide. This rattles the whole school and the teacher.
A clairvoyant takes the guidance counselor on board to solve the mysterious death. This leads to uncovering the abusive past, leading to horror stories hidden in the school.
The film focuses on modern beliefs and faith and how it clashes. Eerie brings thought-provoking issues while simultaneously making you scared.
This Philippines movie asks interesting questions from a viewpoint, and you can enjoy the scary ride.
The Guardian ( Vietnam )
The Guardian explores the dark side of the entertainment industry. The movie is a revenge horror thriller that is perfect when you want to watch something bone-chilling.
The story follows the backup singer who takes help from occult forces and black magic to gain more popularity.
Also, it shows the Kumanthong doll, a divine child spirit that stays in a doll, and it’s believed to bring good luck and fortune to the owner.
If you find dolls creepy in general, wait till you see the Kumanthong doll. Exploring the mythology of Vietnam, this movie also gives an interesting combination of thriller and horror.
Dendam Pontianak ( Malaysia )
The classic stories related to Pontianak are entertaining and spooky at the same time. In local mythology, Pontianak is a long-haired and vicious female vampire that comes out to take her bloody revenge.
The movie has the setting of the year 1965, focusing on a small village where Khalid and Siti are preparing for their wedding. But the village soon falls under great darkness, causing horrific deaths and supernatural things.
Munafik And Munafik 2 ( Malaysia)
The movie centers around a medical practitioner who used to be religious but turned healer. However, he is struggling with the sudden death of his wife. The movie grapples with issues like faith and religion.
To those who enjoy the spook factor, this will keep you all night awake. Also, the movie is considered the highest-grossing movie in Malaysia in 2019.
The Medium ( Thailand)
The story is set in a small town in the ISan area of Thailand’s northeastern side. The Medium plays out as a format of found footage mockumentary based on shamanism, practices, religious beliefs, Karam, and an ancestral curse.
Banjong Pisanthanakun, a renowned Thai director, directs the movie. Also, this movie made its name in International awards.
Ghost Lab ( Thailand)
Two doctors, Gla and Wee, are interested in knowing if there is an afterlife or not.
However, they witness a spirit themselves in their hospital, making them believe there is a way to prove it. However, both doctors go to great lengths to prove it, causing a dangerous experience.
Ghost Lab is quite different as compared to the other mentioned names in this list. But it has horror elements with some lessons on how your obsession can harm you and the people around you.
Ghost Lab has a strong message for people wrapped up in horror and thrill. You can consider this if you want more than horror to watch.
Laddaland ( Thailand)
Another horror from Thailand, Ladda Land, is about a family moving to a new place to upscale their housing development with large, beautiful homes.
However, once they complete their move-in, they discover the terrifying and paranormal events happening in the neighborhood and now in their house.
The movie is spooky and terrifying. This can be a perfect pick if you are into something interesting.
Inhuman Kiss ( Thailand )
If you are in the mood for something horror but with romance, Inhuman Kiss is the perfect watch.
The story focuses on Sai. She is an innocent teenager living far away from a village. Later she finds that she inherited the curse of Krause.
Because of this, her head detaches from the body at night, hunts for blood, and feeds on flesh.
This caused multiple deaths of livestock, terrifying the people in the village. This includes Jerd and Noi, who decide to hunt this mysterious creature.
However, for an unknown reason, Noi chooses to stay with Sai and stand with her even after knowing the truth.
The movie is interesting. It has a perfect balance of romance and horror. This is good to add to your watchlist.
The Promise ( Thailand )
The Promise between two best friends, what happens if you end up forgetting, but your best friend comes from the grave not just to make you remember but also for a payback?
The Promise focuses on the same storyline. However, it doesn’t have too much horror, but you can still enjoy it if you are into something light.
The story follows two best friends, Ib and Boum, who are tired from their life and family.
One day, they both decide to end their life by committing suicide in Bangkok in 1997. They promise each other, but only one dies. After 20 years, the dead ghost returned to haunt her best friend and take her daughter as payback.
Kuntilanak ( Indonesia)
Kuntilanak, or Pontianak, is also described as a female astral sport. Also, another version is the women’s spirit, who has long, sharp fingernails.
It’s also said that these spirits are women who cannot give birth while they have a stillborn child in their womb.
The movie’s story focuses on a group of kids who decide to explore a house long abandoned to win a reality show contest.
To win the competition, they have to prove that evil kuntilanak and stories related to it are real.
However, they soon find a mysterious mirror that is quite old, where they see a ghost that comes from it and starts to haunt everyone.
Featured Image Source: MM