The 8th Night took supernatural and thriller films to another level. Viewers who love horror movies will find this film fascinating.
*Spoiler Alert
The 8th Night follows the story of the retired exorcist Park Jin Su (Lee Sung Min). Two thousand years ago, two beings were locked up to prevent harm to humans. Years later, the protector of the casket monk Ha Jeong (Lee Eol), realizes it’s awakened. Ha Jeong and the other monk Cheong Seok (Nam Da Reum) seek Park Jin Su to track and stop these beings from creating havoc.
An archaeologist is the one responsible for the awakening of the “red eye”. It was revealed that the stepping stones are people who offer their blood to the archeologist for the awakening of the red-eye. Those people are suicidal and or having thoughts of ending their lives. The archeologist took this opportunity and made them unknowingly sacrifice themselves.
He also tries to deceive the innocent Ae-ran (Kim Yoo Jung) to commit suicide and achieve the last stepping stone which is the virgin. It’s the only way to change the prophecy and made the destined monk failed his mission.
In the end, Jin Su sacrifices himself for the greater good and forgives for the last time. He finished the mission successfully and able to save Cheong Seok and Ae-ran from the bonds of the red eye.
aith_clouds_of_gold_and_blue watches The 8th Night on Netflix
The 8th Night movie Peak Points
The Paradox of Having an Eerie Atmosphere and Comfortable Feeling
Upon watching this film, you can already feel that sense of fear that a horror movie is supposed to make you feel. The story begins with a monster slain by the Buddha. That monster will bring havoc to humankind, so the Buddha put his evil eyes in a sacred box. He leaves the “black eye” in the far west and the “red eye” in the far east.
However, in the present day. An archeologist found the red-eye. He then tries to awaken it. A choice that should have not been made since it paves to an imminent danger.
Nevertheless, that scary feeling changes when the destined monk was brought into the story to salvage the situation by fighting the red eye before it meets the black eye. Unlike other horror stories that will only give you that kind of hope in the middle or end of the story, The 8th Night offers it in the beginning.
It is a satisfying feeling that the main character, although scared of what his fate might be, decided to act instantly with his mission. However, we can’t shake the fact that the villain efficiently made its way to challenge the hero’s bearing. That’s why it’s a paradox because you feel two different feelings at the same time while watching this film.
The Meaning of Agony, Anxiety, and Forgiveness to People
Agony and anxiety are the true representation of the “evil eyes”. The red eye can only dwell on people who have this kind of feeling. The red-eye uses this feeling so that it meets with the other eye and awakens that monster again. That is why the archeologist uses the blood of those people because they have great anxiety and agony within them which make them the perfect host of the red eye.
Park Jin-su, the destined monk, has a dark past that he can’t forget. These feelings make him vulnerable to red eyes too. However, the mission teaches him how even with painful grief and even if fear can take over us, there is still retribution. Forgiveness is a gift to us people so that we can fight those bad feelings that can ruin us.
Forgiveness is powerful, it gives us the strength to live our lives without any regrets from the past. This film emphasizes this message and it gives a resonating message to every viewer.
The 8th Night movie Musing
This movie teaches and enlightens us that, yes, there are bad things in this world but that opposition is there for us to appreciate the good things.
Realizing our weakness makes us stronger beings. Park Jin-su may not be the bravest kind of protagonist but he accepts his weakness. It’s the kind of protagonist anyone can relate to. The kind of resilient hero aptly suited to movies like this. He knows how to deal with his strengths and weaknesses.
Although this film ends in quite a happy ending. At least as viewers, we felt peace and hope. Some parts are a little disappointing but overall, The 8th Night brings new things to the table.
Neither this movie is a gore type of horror nor the jump-scare type. Thus, it makes the plot unique. There are some parts that may incite a creepy feel but it’s not the type that can traumatize us or gives us nightmares. It’s just a right amount to make us feel scared and intrigued. It does an astonishing job to give us a whole new experience when it comes to horror movies.
For people who are not very fond of watching horror movies (like me) or people who love horror movies, it’s a great recommendation. The screenplay of this movie is captivating. That’s makes it worthy of your weekend watch list.
The 8th Night is now streaming on Netflix
