★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Where to begin? There’s so many wonderful things to say about this film that it’s difficult to distill it all into a couple of paragraphs. The directing, acting, and construction of frames are just a few of the elements that make Karen Lam’s The Curse of Willow Song an instant horror classic. It’s a must-watch for those who consider themselves fans of the terrifying and beautiful.

One thing we particularly loved about this film was how it said so much without saying anything directly. The layers of subtext that Willow offers are extremely nuanced and intentional in a way that requires multiple viewings to understand. Valerie Tian (Willow) and Ingrid Nilson (Flea) have great chemistry and do a wonderful job of breathing life into their characters. It’s the little details (like Flea’s cadence or Willow’s reactions) that mark how talented the cast of this film truly is. They allowed the film’s subtext to lurk like a ghost in the background; always present, never directly shown.

Check out our (slightly more) in depth podcast review + rating below! Podcast music by Brian K.S. Cole.

The Every Frame a Painting video Jessica mentions can be found here.