Note: this article contains spoilers.

Director Do Quoc Trung's second film this year delivers a mystical, distinctly Vietnamese folk horror experience. The story opens with Ms. Huynh (played by People's Artist Hanh Thuy) performing a ritual to seal Phi Phong - a legendary bloodthirsty demon - in a forbidden cave. In a direct confrontation, this powerful entity gains the upper hand, causing Ms. Huynh's spell to backfire and nearly costing her life. Hearing of their mother's plight, Con (Kieu Minh Tuan) and his younger sister Duong (Doan Minh Anh) rush to the village to pick her up. They are unaware of the spiritual forces and mysteries lurking in the mountains.

Kieu Minh Tuan's shaman character. *Photo courtesy of the film crew.*

The film crew immediately clarifies Phi Phong's nature, leaving no room for viewer speculation. This creature can disguise itself as an ordinary person, appearing beautiful while consuming animal blood and attacking humans. This detail introduces intriguing plot points throughout the film, delivering many shocks to the audience.

Director Do Quoc Trung emphasizes the rich natural imagery. The mystical horror aesthetic retains Moc Chau's wild beauty, the film's main setting. Here, the film vividly portrays details related to folklore and spiritual elements, from rituals and funerals to costumes and village scenery.

Phi Phong transforms into a beautiful girl. *Photo courtesy of the film crew.*

The film crew meticulously researched customs, spiritual legends, and dark magic to realize many difficult scenes, including a funeral procession on a mountainside. A series of metaphorical images are woven throughout for viewers to discover, such as the shamans' gesture of covering their eyes to perceive the spirit world, or a simple egg holding great significance.

Beyond the visuals, the film explores social prejudices, gender discrimination, and archaic customs that condemn people to hardship. Hidden behind the rumors of the Phi Phong creature is a painful, buried truth. Only when siblings Con and Duong appear do the pieces of the complete picture gradually emerge.

The film crew heavily invested in body horror imagery. The makeup team spent hours creating festering wounds and sores on the characters. Beyond the scares, gore, and plot twists, the director infuses a poignant undertone through emotional scenes depicting mother-child and sibling love, and the moment justice is served.

The setting of the sacred and perilous forest in the film. *Photo courtesy of the film crew.*

The cast's performances helped the film top the box office in mid-april. In his first leading role in a horror and spiritual film, Kieu Minh Tuan embodies the spirit of a shaman. He works seamlessly with co-stars Doan Minh Anh and Hanh Thuy, moving viewers to tears.

Additionally, child star Nina Nutthacha Padovan surprises with her fluent Vietnamese dialogue. Many veteran actors reported getting "goosebumps" watching her perform possession and exorcism scenes amidst the chilling mountain air. Having previously appeared in the film "Demon Eater", Nina continues to demonstrate her versatility in the horror genre, despite being only 12 years old.

"With methodical investment in setting, content, and acting, I hope the film will keep viewers engaged until the very end. What you see is not what you get; the secrets of the remote village plagued by Phi Phong for many years are gradually unveiled, taking audiences through various emotional layers," Director Do Quoc Trung added.

"Phi Phong: blood demon of the sacred forest" is currently showing in cinemas nationwide.

Hieu Chau