Korean Thriller "Killing Vote" Lacks Punchy Ending

The movie "Salmokji" is a horror film that depicts the strange events experienced by a film crew who head to Salmokji Reservoir for reshoots due to an unidentified figure captured on their road view. The story follows characters who are drawn deeper the more they try to escape Salmokji, as a missing senior appears and a series of bizarre incidents unfold. This film, set to be released on April 8th, was completed by director Lee Sang-min, who added imagination to a real, known horror location.

The movie follows the typical horror genre framework of characters entering a forbidden space. The forest and reservoir, which disorient the characters, create visual unease from the beginning. The direction, utilizing the unique claustrophobia of the reservoir, and the flow that seems to pull the audience into the water enhance immersion. Sudden jump scare scenes build tension by accumulating anxiety and fear of what might emerge from the water.

However, the fact that it doesn't deviate significantly from the familiar horror genre framework remains a disappointment. The characters who casually dismiss or try to monetize the existence of ghosts are typical, and the development where filming proceeds despite prior warnings is also not unfamiliar. The process of characters being unable to back out despite repeated strange occurrences, and collapsing due to distrust and division among team members, follows a predictable trajectory.

In the latter half, the 'water ghost' expands into unidentified beings, blurring the lines between reality and fantasy. However, the situation where people continuously transform into ghosts can disrupt the flow. Additionally, the visuals depicting numerous corpses filling the water can feel excessive.

The absence of a decisive blow is also a disappointing aspect. While the tension in the early part is sufficient, the film lacks the strong impact expected from a horror movie in the latter half. The process of the mystery being solved also unfolds with a character's sudden realization, leaving bewilderment rather than lingering emotion. The direction, which concludes the story with ambiguity about the entity's identity, even diminishes the sense of fear built up in the beginning.