Svaha: The Sixth Finger -“ A Korean Folk Horror Thriller Makes Confused and Questionable”

Director: Jang Jae-hyun

Starring: Lee Jung-jae, Park Jung-min, Lee Jae-in, Jung Jin-young, Lee David

Producers: Kim Hyun-woo, Kim Jae-joong

Production House: CJ Entertainment

Music Director: Kim Tae-seong

Cinematography: Kim Il-yeon

Editor: Kim Chang-ju

Language: Korean

Genre: Folk Horror, Mystery, Thriller

Runtime: 122 minutes

OTT: Netflix

Plot:

Pastor Park is investigating a religious cult called Deer Mount, which seems to be involved in a series of mysterious events and deaths. His investigation leads him to a remote area where he uncovers unsettling truths and faces an ancient evil connected to the folklore of the region.

Performances:

Lee Jung-jae: 

His performance as the pastor was very genuine, portraying his investigation and detective nature effectively. His expressions and reactions during the investigation were impressive, adding depth to his character.

Lee Jae-in: 

The actress gave an okayish performance in both the human and monster roles. Her human performance was more natural compared to the monster role, which lacked impact despite decent makeup.

Park Jung-min: 

His performance as the killer was very good, showing seriousness, intensity, and fear convincingly.

Jung Jin-young: 

His performance as the villain was quite okayish.

Technical Aspects:

Direction:

Jang Jae-hyun introduced a folk horror concept with a brilliant start but faltered in execution. While the background concept was intriguing, some aspects remained unclear, and the sudden shift for twists was poorly handled. Despite these issues, the film had a lot of information that required careful attention to understand the concept fully.

Music: 

Kim Tae-seong provided good sound mixing and effects, enhancing the movie’s impact. However, more impactful re-recording could have elevated the film further.

Cinematography: 

Kim Il-yeon delivered top-notch cinematography, with brilliant camera angles and frames. The visuals were impressive and added a lot to the film’s aesthetic.

Editing: 

Kim Chang-ju did a good job with apt color grading, making the movie’s details clean and neat.

Strengths:

• Cinematography

• Performances of Lee Jung-jae and Park Jung-min

• Building the movie’s stage

Negatives:

• Flipping for twists

• Excessive information to understand

• Fewer horrific scenes

• Plot armors

My Personal Take on Cinema:

“Svaha: The Sixth Finger” presents a good concept that falls short due to plot armors, excessive information, and abrupt shifts for twists that lack impact. If the director had delved deeper into the script, this could have been a very good film. The middle part of the movie is interesting, but the twist is predictable, and the director’s attempt to add complexity feels forced. The performances, especially by Lee Jung-jae and Park Jung-min, are natural and commendable. The music is good but could have been more impactful. Cinematography stands out with its top-notch execution. Overall, this Korean folk horror film might leave viewers confused and questioning. The cultural background might be clearer to Korean audiences, but for others, it can be perplexing.

Rating: 2.5/5