Writer: Lai Swee Wei

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Watch this if you liked: “4BIA”

With the success of "4BIA" it's a no brainer that a sequel will be made and interestingly enough, "Phobia 2" (Thai title translates as "Five Crossroads") has become the all-time highest-grossing Thai horror movie on opening day at the box office, breaking all Thai horror records of "Nang Nak", "Shutter" and "Alone".

This time the fear goes one better by adding one more story to the four-part original. Each story is lighter on gore and pays closer attention to character and suspense, resulting in an eerie twist at the end.

"Novice", by Paween Purijitpanya, tells of juvenile delinquent Pey (Jirayu Raongmanee) who is sent by his mother to be trained as a Buddhist monk. Located at a rural area, his misbehaviour soon clashes with the Hungry Ghost Festival and causes the reawakening of a spirit and the damnation of a soul. This truly is an atmospheric film with plenty of foggy scenes, little dialogue, and a lot of background noise. Karma is the main theme, so think twice before deciding to commit a crime.

Visute Poolvoralaks' "Ward" has Arthit (Worrawech Danuwong) placed in a hospital ward due to a leg injury. Coupled up with a dying leader of a religious cult (Gacha Plienwithi) and you'll have a creepy story ready at your doorstep but with a predictable ending.

Next, "Resident Evil" meets "28 Days Later" as Songyos Sugmakanan's "Backpackers" has a hitchhiking Japanese couple stumbling on a shocking discovery when a vehicle's cargo is revealed. Resulting in a vicious bloodbath, this is one fast-paced story you might enjoy.

"Salvage," by Parkpoom Wongpoom ("Alone," "Shutter"), has a crammed setting within a used car shop where Thai-American singer Nicole Theriault plays a saleswoman/mother who has suddenly lost her child. Playing around with guilt and dishonesty, the story didn't seem to level up well and by this time, the movie seems draggy.

However, saving the best for last, "In The End" is a hilarious "Scary Movie"-like spoof directed by the man behind "Alone" and "Shutter", Banjong Pisanthanakun. Bringing in the same cast members from "4BIA - In The Middle", Wiwat Krongrasri, Pongsatorn Jongwilas and Kantapat Permpoonpatcharasuk are excellent goofballs working as a movie crew of an upcoming horror called "Alone 2" where Kate (Phijitra Ratsameechawalit) stars as the ghost. It had a pretty interesting ending and is definitely worth the watch.

Cinema Online, 22 October 2009