Name: Incantation
Genre: Horror
Released: 2022-03-18T00:00:00+00:00
Cast: Ina Tsai, Ven Kao, Huang Sin-ting, Sean Lin, Wen Ching-Yu

The opening shot of Incantation (2022), directed by Kevin Ko, lingers on a child’s frightened face as whispers echo through a dimly lit room—a haunting tableau that sets the tone for this Taiwanese horror film. Inspired by a true story, it follows Li Ro-nan (Ina Tsai), a mother desperate to protect her daughter from a malevolent curse. The film weaves together themes of familial love and supernatural terror, but its execution is uneven.

Ko’s direction is deliberate in its early stages, establishing an eerie atmosphere through slow, deliberate camera movements and an emphasis on sound design. The whispers that permeate the soundtrack are not just auditory cues; they become characters themselves, lurking in the background like unseen spirits. This approach is reminiscent of The Wailing (2016), another Taiwanese horror film that excels in building tension through ambiguity and unsettling soundscapes. However, where The Wailing maintains a relentless pace, Incantation struggles to sustain its momentum.

Ina Tsai’s performance as Li Ro-nan is the film’s anchor. She conveys a palpable sense of desperation and love, making her character’s struggle feel deeply personal. Tsai’s ability to shift between maternal tenderness and abject terror is compelling, grounding the supernatural elements in emotional reality. Ven Kao, playing Hsieh Chi-ming, provides strong support as Ro-nan’s skeptical brother, adding a layer of conflict that deepens the narrative.

The film’s exploration of possession and exorcism rituals is one of its standout aspects. Ko draws on traditional Taiwanese folklore, incorporating elements like spirit-mediums and incantations to create a unique cultural backdrop. The sequence where Queenie Chen’s Spirit-Medium Child performs a ritual is particularly effective, blending visceral horror with a sense of ancient tradition. This cultural specificity sets Incantation apart from many Western horror films that rely on generic tropes.

However, the film stumbles when it shifts into more conventional horror territory. The pacing drags in the second act, bogged down by repetitive sequences of supernatural encounters that lack freshness or ingenuity. Some performances falter under the weight of melodrama, particularly in scenes where emotional outbursts feel forced rather than earned. Additionally, the film’s reliance on jump scares and sudden noise bursts undermines its otherwise subtle buildup of dread.

The cinematography is visually striking at times, with moody lighting and claustrophobic framing that amplifies the sense of impending doom. Yet, these moments are too infrequent, and the film often settles for generic compositions that fail to elevate the material. The score, while effective in isolated instances, occasionally veers into overbearing territory, drowning out the subtlety of key scenes.

One of the film’s most compelling themes is the tension between tradition and modernity. Ro-nan’s struggle to protect her child from a curse highlights the clash between ancient beliefs and contemporary skepticism. This theme is explored through the character of Hsieh Chi-ming, who represents the rational, scientific mindset that clashes with his sister’s faith in the supernatural. This dynamic adds depth to the narrative, grounding the horror elements in a broader cultural context.

However, Incantation struggles to maintain this thematic complexity throughout its runtime. The film’s third act descends into a series of predictable confrontations and resolutions, sacrificing nuance for a rushed climax. The final showdown between Ro-nan and the malevolent spirit feels anticlimactic, lacking the emotional weight or visceral impact that earlier scenes had built.

In terms of originality, Incantation has moments of genuine creativity, particularly in its use of sound design and cultural specificity. However, it often falls back on familiar horror tropes, such as jump scares and generic exorcism sequences, which diminish its overall impact. The film’s genre fit is solid but not exceptional; it will appeal to fans of slow-burn horror and those interested in exploring non-Western horror traditions.

Ultimately, Incantation is a film of missed opportunities. It has a strong foundation in its performances, atmospheric sound design, and cultural themes, but these elements are undermined by pacing issues, melodramatic tendencies, and a lackluster third act.