Mudborn (泥娃娃)

Mudborn: A video-game designer’s will is tested when a mysterious spirit infiltrates his new family and threatens the life of his expecting wife.

Introduction

Been a while since I looked away while watching. Mudborn delivers in all aspects of the horror genre, checking the boxes of trigger spots for horror fans to be invested in a movie. The intro was a good set-up for the whole movie. It set the tone and very much the whole plot of it, while still having something in the bag to surprise its viewers.

“Mudborn is a Taiwanese supernatural folk horror film that follows a VR game developer who accidentally brings home a cursed, damaged clay doll from an abandoned house. As his pregnant wife becomes obsessed with restoring the doll, a malevolent spirit invades their home, forcing the couple to seek the help of a folklorist to survive.”

The Family

Right from the start, you’d see their chemistry, and instantly you’ll fall in love with them, as a family. You’d want them to have a good ending. That kind of emotional attachment clings to you from the get-go until they pull the rug from under you. Great casting with great chemistry.

Taiwanese Horror

Ever since I saw Incantation (2022), I’ve been looking out for more Taiwanese-made horror, and this one is to look out for. Right from the intro, they have your neck, and they’ll never let go until the end.

Perfect Ending

Not everyone is into bittersweet endings, but this one executes it very well. Its sad, but with how they showed it, you’d accept it and feel satisfied with it.

Final Thoughts

Taiwanese horror is still on the rise, The Sadness (2021) and Incantation (2022) proves this. Even in modern times, they didn’t compromise on the vanilla-treated horror studios make nowadays. Mudborn will get you back on track with how horror is supposed to feel like.