The Medium (2021)
- General info
- Available formats
- Synopsis:
Convinced she embodies the spirit of benevolent deity Ba Yan, Nim (Sawanee Utoomma), a local healer and devoted shamaness, catches the attention of a small documentary crew. Committed to exploring indigenous religions and their spiritual practice, the team sets off on a trip to Nim's remote mountainous village in Thailand's Isan region to record her day-to-day life and, hopefully, provide explanation and proof of the unseen. When Nim's niece Mink (Narilya Gulmongkolpech) starts manifesting intangible signs of divine awakening, Nim believes that the young woman is about to become the goddess' new conduit and inherit the challenging role of the medium. However, instead of receiving the divine touch, Mink's mental health rapidly deteriorates, and strange, hair-raising incidents shake the close-knit community's belief. Is something evil plunging Mink deeper and deeper into the dark realm of possession? - Actors:
- Narilya Gulmongkolpech, Sawanee Utoomma, Sirani Yankittikan, Yasaka Chaisorn, Boonsong Nakphoo, Arunee Wattana, Thanutphon Boonsang, Pakapol Srirongmuang, Akkaradech Rattanawong, Chatchawat Sanveang, M Yossawat Sittiwong, Arnon Losiripanya, Klangchon Chuekham, Sayan Phiwchan, Sakchai Yukhachen, Nuttapol Kummata, Sontaya Dermparakhon, Ronnasit Nilsu, Tanakrit Jaliablam, Chainarong Panchai
- Directors:
- Banjong Pisanthanakun
- Producers:
- Hong-jin Na, Banjong Pisanthanakun
- Writers:
- Cha-won Choi, Chantavit Dhanasevi, Hong-jin Na, Banjong Pisanthanakun, Siwawut Sewatanon
- Aka:
- Rang song
- Genres:
- Drama, Horror, Thrillers
- Countries:
- Thailand
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Reviews (1) of The Medium
The Blair Witch Goes to Bangkok - The Medium review by griggs
The first act of The Medium is so convincing you could almost believe it’s real—a portrait of rural Thai shamans and the uneasy inheritance of their gods. But as the story unfolds, belief begins to slip. The camera never stops rolling, even when no sane crew would keep filming, and what starts as gripping realism drifts into contrivance.
It’s an ambitious spin on the faux-documentary form, but one that occasionally forgets its own setup. The overlong runtime doesn’t help, stretching the tension until it frays. You start to wish for the brisk, matter-of-fact editing of a true documentary to bring the chills back into focus.
Still, it’s not without power. There are moments of genuine dread, and its blend of The Exorcist and folk horror lingers, even if the possession never quite takes hold. A haunting half-success—believable, until it isn’t.