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 lingers on a woman’s trembling hands, inking a sigil onto paper with such urgency that the pen snaps under her grip. It’s a moment of visceral tension that sets the tone for Kevin Ko’s 2022 horror film: unrelenting, intimate, and steeped in dread.

Inspired by a true story, Incantation follows Li Ro-nan (Ina Tsai), a woman haunted by a curse she believes she unleashed six years prior. Now a single mother, she must protect her young daughter from the same malevolent forces that have plagued her family for generations. The film’s structure is unconventional—Ro-nan directly addresses the audience, urging them to memorize an insignia and chant an incantation to lift the curse. This framing device, while initially jarring, creates a chilling sense of immediacy, as if the viewer is complicit in the horror unfolding on screen.

What works best about Incantation is its commitment to atmosphere. The remote village where Ro-nan’s story unfolds is steeped in eerie folklore, and Ko makes excellent use of practical effects and claustrophobic framing to heighten the tension. The film’s standout sequence involves a descent into a cursed tunnel, where the dim lighting and oppressive sound design create an almost suffocating sense of dread. Ina Tsai delivers a raw, unflinching performance as Ro-nan, her desperation palpable in every scene.

However, Incantation stumbles in its pacing and execution. The film’s non-linear structure, while ambitious, often feels disjointed, with abrupt shifts between past and present that disrupt the narrative flow. Additionally, the use of a non-diegetic score alongside the otherwise immersive practical effects creates a tonal whiplash. Some of the horror set pieces—while undeniably creepy—rely too heavily on jump scares rather than sustained tension.

The film’s conclusion, while thematically resonant, feels rushed after such a deliberate build-up. The ultimate reveal and finale, though impactful, lack the slow-burn dread that characterized the best moments of the film.

Ultimately, Incantation is a messy but undeniably creepy horror experience.