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[Review] Netflix’s Thai Horror ‘Ghost Lab’ Induces Tonal Whiplash Through Paranormal Obsession

Ghost Lab dabbles in horror and horror-comedy, but it prefers to linger in drama for extended periods.

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Ghost hunting and seeking tangible proof of the afterlife is a frequent motif in paranormal horror. It’s one of the most prominent unknowable questions to life, which means the fictional possibilities are endless. Seeking and acquiring proof of life after death becomes the driving force for the two leads in the Thai horror movie Ghost Lab. While it quickly transcends a familiar setup, its massive shifts through tone and narrative induce jarring whiplash.

Young doctors Wee (Thanapob Leeratanakachorn) and Gla (Paris Intarakomalyasut) work together at a hospital, but their friendship goes back much further than their working relationship. They’re an unlikely pair. Wee practically lives at the hospital to care for his long comatose mother. Gla is the extrovert in a happily committed relationship with Mai (Nuttanicha Dungwattanawanich). When the friends encounter a terrifying ghost during a late shift, it sparks the pursuit of proof in the name of science. Experimentation leads to reckless obsession, and the quest becomes dangerous.

Directed by Pawan Purijitpanya, who co-wrote the script with Vasudhorn Piyaromna and Tossaphon RiantongGhost Lab begins as a horror-comedy. Gla and Wee trade light-hearted pranks, which establishes their bond. Wee’s emotional stakes come in the form of his devotion to an unresponsive, sickly mother. One creepy encounter with the ghost of a horrifically burned patient later, and the pair begin their series of experimentations. This first act follows an established mold; the friends use cameras, temperature, and various ghost hunting tools to document their finds. Complete with spooky scenes, all set within the atmospheric hospital. Once through all those familiar beats, though, the narrative shifts with a shocking event.

It marks the first jarring change in tone, and horror-comedy gets sidelined for heavy drama. Obsession sets in and causes a fracture. Ghost Lab is less about paranormal science and more about superstition and emotional devastation for a long stretch. Curiosity gets replaced with suffocating guilt and contrasting philosophies. Early scares get all but forgotten.

Despite its nearly two-hour runtime, Ghost Lab forgoes proper build-up in the massive left-field turns in Wee and Gla’s arcs. Both make illogical choices that remove rooting interest by the third act, as likable characters become awful. Wee and Gla’s baffling arcs muddy what exactly it is that this film is trying to say.

Purijitpanya (PhobiaPhobia 2) knows horror and crafts a couple of effective early scares. One character directly references Shutter, and The Shining’s room 237 gets a mention, too. But the horror gets left behind in the attempt to explore science versus faith in such a dramatic way. Ghost Lab never entirely forgets its ghosts, but they take on a different meaning in the ongoing evolution of Wee and Gla’s partnership. It’s a vastly different movie from where it begins, and despite a heavier horror climax, the genre elements receive diminishing returns.

Ghost Lab dabbles in horror and horror-comedy, but it prefers to linger in drama for extended periods. It’s less interested in the paranormal and far more intrigued by the consequences of Wee and Gla’s pursuit. That’s an admirable departure from the norm, but the bursts of high melodrama and disjointed narrative leaps make for a confusing viewing experience.

Netflix has just released Ghost Lab on its streaming service.

Horror journalist, RT Top Critic, and Critics Choice Association member. Co-Host of the Bloody Disgusting Podcast. Has appeared on PBS series' Monstrum, served on the SXSW Midnighter shorts jury, and moderated horror panels for WonderCon and SeriesFest.

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Don Mancini in the “Early Stages” of Working On a New “Chucky” Movie!

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Chucky death

Everyone’s favorite killer doll is headed back to the small screen with “Chucky” Season 3: Part 2 on April 10, but are any further movies being planned at this time?

Created by Don Mancini, the “Chucky” television series remarkably plays around with existing elements from all previous films without disregarding ANYTHING from the past. From the original Child’s Play to sequels including Child’s Play 2, Bride of Chucky and even Seed of Chucky, it’s all one cohesive timeline that Mancini remains deeply committed to.

Of course, the most recent film in the Child’s Play franchise was the 2019 remake, to date the only movie in the saga that’s NOT part of Mancini’s vision. Is Mancini’s original incarnation going to spend his final days on TV, while another Chucky will be featured in the movies? It’s a question we’ve been asking ourselves for the last few years, and we may now have an answer.

Speaking with the Scream Dreams Podcast this week, Mancini revealed that he’s in the early stages of development on a potential new installment in the original Chucky film franchise!

new Chucky movie

CHUCKY — “Jennifer’s Body” Episode 303 — Pictured in this screengrab: Chucky — (Photo by: SYFY)

“Like anyone in this business, I want to do more things. At this point though if it’s only Chucky I’m totally cool with that,” Mancini explains. “I have other things I want to do. I’m working on a new pilot. I’m also, actually, in the early stages of working on a new Chucky movie.”

Mancini adds, “At this point, my goal is just to keep working.”

Outside of the aforementioned Child’s Play remake, there are to date seven installments in the franchise, with Cult of Chucky (2017) being the original franchise’s most recent film.

For now, Chucky remains a small screen icon. Don’t miss the premiere of Season 3: Part 2 on both USA and SYFY on April 10, with new episodes hitting Peacock the day after they air.

You can watch Don Mancini’s full chat with Scream Dreams below.

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