Watch Wishing Stairs
- R
- 2003
- 1 hr 37 min
-
5.8 (3,334)
Wishing Stairs is a South Korean horror film directed by Yun Jae-yeon and released in 2003. It is the third installment in the Whispering Corridors film series, but the stories in each of these films are not related. The film is set in an all-girls art school located in the mountains. The story centers around two best friends, Jin-sung (Park Han-byul) and So-hee (Song Ji-hyo), who both dream of being ballerinas, but only one of them can be selected for a scholarship to a prestigious ballet academy in Russia. So-hee is the more talented of the two, but is jealous of Jin-sung's pretty face and outgoing personality. One day, the girls find a mysterious set of stairs that is said to grant wishes to those who climb it. So-hee makes a wish to become the best ballerina, but things start to spiral out of control when a series of bizarre accidents happen to those around her.
As the story unfolds, it is revealed that the wishing stairs have a dark history. Legend has it that the ghost of a woman who died in a tragic accident tries to grant the wishes of those who climb the stairs by demanding a sacrifice in return. The girls begin to suspect that they might be in danger if they continue to make wishes on the stairs.
The tension and dread build effectively throughout the film as the two friends are gradually torn apart by suspicion and jealousy. Jin-sung starts to develop romantic feelings for her dance instructor, while So-hee becomes more and more obsessed with becoming the best at any cost. Meanwhile, the other students at the school also begin to experience strange occurrences, leading to a chilling climax that sees the truth behind the wishing stairs finally revealed.
Wishing Stairs is a well-executed horror film that combines elements of psychological horror with traditional ghost story tropes. The cinematography is excellent, with stunning shots of the school and the surrounding landscape. The performances by the lead actresses are also strong, with Park Han-byul and Song Ji-hyo perfectly capturing the complex emotions of their characters.
One of the standout elements of the film is its soundtrack. The haunting, melancholic melodies that play throughout the film effectively heighten the sense of unease and dread. Combined with the beautiful visuals, the music serves to create a truly immersive cinematic experience.
Overall, Wishing Stairs is a great horror film that manages to be equally captivating and creepy. It explores themes of jealousy, obsession, and sacrifice through a well-crafted story that keeps you guessing until the end. Fans of horror movies, particularly those interested in Asian horror, should definitely give this one a watch.
Wishing Stairs is a 2003 horror movie with a runtime of 1 hour and 37 minutes. It has received moderate reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 5.8.