Watch Monstrum

Monstrum is a 2018 South Korean historical period horror-thriller film directed by Huh Jong-ho. The film stars actors Myung-Min Kim, Kim In-kwon, and Hyeri Lee in lead roles. Set during the Joseon Dynasty, the film revolves around an epidemic that breaks out in the kingdom of Joseon, which is then falsely attributed to a monster-like creature.

The film begins with King Jungjong (Park Hee-soon) approaching his loyal guard, Yun Kyum (Myung-Min Kim), to investigate a reported monster sighting that has caused panic in the kingdom. He sends Yun Kyum and his band of warriors to capture the creature and restore peace to the kingdom. Yang-Ik (Kim In-kwon), a scholar and political adviser to King Jungjong, also accompanies Yun Kyum on this mission.

As Yun Kyum and his team enter the forest where the creature was sighted, they come across a deserted village covered in mud and blood. It quickly becomes apparent that whatever caused the destruction of the village was not a creature, but rather an army carrying out an attack. As they move through the forest, they are met by various challenges, including a confrontation with an escaped prisoner and an encounter with refugees also fleeing from the epidemic that has been spreading across the kingdom.

Amidst all of this, the false rumours of the monster continue to spread across the kingdom, and the people start panicking. Yang-Ik suggests that the King make use of the panic and blame the epidemic on the fictitious monster as a way to control the common people. The Royal Court is then split between King Jungjong's loyalists, who know the truth about the epidemic, and the conspirators who plan to use the monstrous rumor for their own benefit.

As Yun Kyum's team nears the end of their journey, they find themselves facing an altogether different enemy, the courtiers who planted the seeds of fear in the kingdom, led by Minister Park Jong-seo (Choi Woo-shik). The creature itself turns out to be nothing more than a fabrication to cover up the truth; a young girl from the village who had contracted the epidemic and mutated into an abnormal form before her death.

The film's plot skillfully blends elements of history, politics, and horror while keeping the audience engaged in the story. The movie highlights the negative effects of rumour-mongering combined with political power and draws a parallel to the current times. The presence of the epidemic and the political rivalry, all contribute to making the movie an excellent thriller.

The actors, particularly Myung-Min Kim, who portrays Yun Kyum, give an excellent performance, and their chemistry elevates the movie. In the role, Yun Kyum is someone who is brave and loyal, but he also has a dark past that haunts him. Kim In-Kwon, who plays Yang-Ik, also gives a fine performance as the scheming political adviser who uses the epidemic to his own advantage. Hyeri Lee, who portrays the character of Myung, adds a lighter touch to a film that is mostly dark and intense.

The movie's production quality is top-notch, and the visual effects for the monster are particularly impressive. The direction by Huh Jong-ho, who is known for his innovative techniques in directing horror, is exemplary. The director perfectly balances history, thriller, and horror to create a movie that entertains while providing commentary on the current state of society.

Overall, Monstrum is a thrilling adventure that takes the audience back to the Joseon dynasty and tells the tale of an epidemic and the use of rumors to sow fear in the minds of the common people. The impressive acting, tight storytelling, and fantastic production make this movie a must-watch for anyone who enjoys horror-thrillers.

Monstrum is a 2018 horror movie with a runtime of 1 hour and 45 minutes. It has received moderate reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 6.1.