New York Asian Film Festival (NYAFF) – Sometimes, the simplest premise for a horror film can also prove to be the most potent. However, this does not imply that the straightforward path is always the easiest one to travel. While it undoubtedly takes a lot of cognitive finesse to write a complex story full of shocking twists and turns, it’s equally difficult when choosing a more minimalistic approach for your project. This is why I particularly admire filmmakers who can take an inch and stretch it out to give you a mile. It’s a hard thing to do, especially in a way that produces a powerful impact on your audience. Midnight is a 2021 South Korean thriller by director Kwon Oseung that effectively reinforces the old, familiar adage that less can be more. Despite the rather basic synopsis, the plot is implemented in a way that makes for a truly nail-biting experience.

Focusing on the entangled stories of five separate people, Midnight is essentially one long chase sequence. After his younger sister is abducted, a police officer goes on a frantic search to find his missing sibling and fearing the worst. Meanwhile, a mother and daughter duo – both of whom are deaf – find themselves being stalked by the man responsible. When the paths of all these characters inevitably cross, it spells danger for every party involved.

Above all else, Midnight is a film that gets your adrenaline pumping. The high-stakes game of cat-and-mouse that’s being played between the psychopathic killer and his terrified victims is amplified tremendously by the use of setting. The dark, labyrinthine streets of metropolitan South Korea make for the perfect backdrop, adding a disorienting quality to the cacophony of events that are being portrayed in the movie. When coupled with the dynamite performances from the cast and the high contrast use of lighting, Midnight stands as one of the best and most unique thrillers to come out so far this year.

The film will screen as part of the New York Asian Film Festival, happening August 6-22.

8.5 out of 10