A Tale of Two Sisters Review

Disclaimer: Contains spoilers!

Plot Summary: Two girls must cope with their unhinged stepmother along with apparent supernatural forces.

Review: Often considered to be the best among the Asian horror legends, AToTS, is actually loosely based on a well known Korean ghost story (with significant changes of course). AToTS' biggest claims to fame are it's use of mind-fucks and beautiful imagery-- two things that have resonated strongly with fans and critics alike. There is certainly no doubt this is a great film and a prime representative of what Korean horror is capable of...but, with that said--and I know this will piss off crybaby fans--this film is ridiculously overrated. Even when I first saw it, I'm like, this is the movie people think blows away "Ring," "Ju-on," and "Shutter?" "You don't get it--it's a masterpiece!" Riiight. If I need a book-long companion guide on Korean folklore, myths, double meanings, color interpretations, and every other far-reaching thing under the sun just to understand the story fully, then the film fails to convey its message coherently. So I don't appreciate the brilliance, because I don't understand the meaning of the changing wallpaper color?! Are you shitting me? That's about as pretentious as it gets. If people want to look so deeply into this story to the point they write their own fanfics in the process, be my guest, but don't act like this is a matter of "not getting it." Don't get me wrong, this is a good film, but it's far from the best Korean horror let alone the best of all Asian horror.

So let's look at what works first. Obviously the twists are memorable as numerous films have attempted to copy this formula. First you have the revelation that Su-mi's sister is dead all along, followed by the realization that the stepmother personality is how Su-mi vents her anger, and, finally, that Su-mi has been consumed by the guilt that she had the chance to save her sister, Su-yeon. These twists are hidden relatively well and the story tries to emphasize the emotional implications of each one. Su-mi's descent into madness is the best aspect as we see how this girl became the traumatized wreck that she is currently. Her mother became terminally ill, her father cheated and seemingly married the mother's nurse, her mother committed suicide, this suicide leads to the preventable death of Su-yeon, the stepmother also allowed Su-yeon to die, and Su-mi is institutionalized and heavily medicated. What a life. The subtlety of the events is also greatly appreciated. Another aspect to consider is the beautiful imagery and cinematography. While I don't see it as symbolic as others, many great shots are established and the house has an ominous feel. This goes well to establish a fairytale-esque vibe in the story's presentation. Again, this is a huge highlight as the film does present itself as a dark fairytale well enough. Commendable acting assists in making the tale feel believable and not as over the top as one would think.

As for my gripes with the film--may as well start with the lack of scares and the forced nature of the few that are depicted. Let's be honest here, pure Korean horror pretty much doesn't exist; there is essentially only drama-horror. AToTS is way more drama than it is horror which makes the pacing come off as uneven. The scares make no sense and feel beyond forced--as if they're only there to keep you guessing for the sake of guessing. Why is there a ghost running around in the first place? It's more than likely a hallucination by Su-mi which is why the ending seems like wish-fulfillment; she wishes the stepmother would get killed off by some ghostly force. There is the theory the ghosts are real which is why the aunt(?) claims to have seen one too, but I'd say it was a side effect of the medication Su-mi was on; it seemed likely that Su-mi put pills in the food or wine or whatever. As for Su-mi in general, it makes no sense that she would be this crazy while on medication and deemed fit to be released from a mental institution. Most of the movie is in her head technically so we get the "it was all a dream" sensation that cheapens the experience. The dad was also inconsistent in his approach in an attempt to trick the viewer into believing there are two extra characters besides Su-mi. One minute he's a hardass and the next he's all caring; his dialogue does not stand up to repeat viewings that's for sure.

Once more, I want to emphasize I do like this movie, and it is quite good, but the legendary status many hold it to demands acknowledgement. By all means, have it as your favorite, but don't pull the "you don't get it" card as a last ditch effort to stave off any and all criticism. The visuals, acting, and fairytale-like presentation are all fantastic. The twists and turns are interesting  and the intrigue as to what is going on keeps you engaged. On the other hand, the final realization as to what is happening is cliche, and the film plays more like a drama than a horror movie. And, considering the dramatic elements, we don't get to know the characters well enough or intimately enough to appreciate their plight. Overall, this is one of the better Korean movies out there, but it has real and noticeable flaws that most reviews gloss over. This is definitely essential Asian horror viewing, but be cautious about the hype this film has amassed over the last 13 years.

Notable Moment: When you see the ghost under the sink. I think this scene tends to be the most memorable one way or another.

Final Rating: 6.5/10