Strange Frequencies: Taiwan Killer Hospital

Reality TV stars face mounting supernatural horrors while filming “Strange Frequencies: Taiwan Killer Hospital” at haunted Xinglin Hospital in Taiwan. As paranormal activity intensifies, group dynamics crumble and a dark force manipulates their survival choices.

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Introduction

Okay, so Strange Frequencies has been circulating for a while now on Facebook and have seen tons of recommendations for this on various movie groups and thought I’d give it a watch and see if its really worth the hype. From the Netflix cover alone, it feels so much like Gonjiam: Haunted Asylum (2018). I did like it that they filmed in Taiwan and also got some local people to work with them, felt more authentic.

Strange Frequencies: Taiwan Killer Hospital is a Filipino-made found-footage horror directed by Kerwin Go. It is also an official entry to the 2024 Metro Manila Film Festival (MMFF). Now, the found-footage horror in the Philippines haven’t boomed as much as it did in the US. For now, I’ve only seen 3, including this one, the other two are titled “Salvage (2015)” and “Darkest Night (2012)”

Characters

The concept of them using their real names isn’t groundbreaking. Well, I guess in the Philippines is a bit uncommon so it would stand out. Also, its the same thing as what “Gonjiam” did.

• Enrique Gil being the ring leader of the crew was great. Though I’m more used to seeing him in Romantic flicks. Also, he got his fame by doing work under that genre.
• Alexa Miro and Rob Gomez both have that impulsive, yet charismatic characteristics. And yes, they’ve both played their parts perfectly and I’ve hated them allthroughout the movie, that’s how well they did their parts.
• Among all the main cast members, Jane De Leon was awesome and displayed fear. Her tremblings were great; her teary eyes were real; acting or not, you could feel her dread. I’m honestly not familiar with her work, but I’d say she should do more horror films, she reminds me of Jennifer Carpenter from Exorcism of Emily Rose (2005) and Quarantine (2008)
• For a Miss Universe winner, Mary Jean Lastimosa was good. Respect for her work here.
• Raf Pineda was the comic relief in the movie, as all movies has one. I like how they didn’t try to squeeze in a one-liner joke every now and then. His personality sold me and got me hooked on his character possibly surviving.
• Ryan Azurin (as Zarckaroo) is a very well known content creator in real life and he portrays the same thing in the movie. He explores haunted houses and other places, and not just in the Philippines, he travels the world in search for the next thrill. Great acting as well coming from him.

Recycled Concept

Though they did try to look like they’re not copying Gonjiam by having Enrique Gil say “I saw this in a movie called Gonjiam” (or something like that) while the team was putting on the camera rig. This would somehow void the thought that their just copying Gonjiam, or so they thought.

Hello Class-A Grave Encounters

The intro of Strange Frequencies wherein there’s a couple exploring the said hospital becomes a victim. Ethan’s ghost version was the same as those in Grave Encounters.

Mediocre CGI Killed It

It honestly got me going during the first half and I got excited for what’s to come, but slowly and steadily, one by one they showed their “spirits” with poor special effects, all the fears, terror and dread jumped outside the window, just like a character did.

What I Didn’t Like (Spoiler)

• How the hell did Gil know that Alexa was inside the walk-in freezer? She was silent the whole time.
• The effects with Jane’s d3ath was one of the worst, I mean for an international release, it should’ve been better. That hand on her throat was hard to watch, should’ve just used a real hand with prosthetics.
• To be honest, everything was great during the first half, but ultimately the mediocre special effects ruined everything for me.

Conclusion

From the screenshots of “Strange Frequencies” alone, I know I’d be in for a Class-A remake of Gonjiam: Haunted Asylum (You should watch this instead). The story was okay; Jane De Leon’s acting was superb. Its a good nighttime watch with friends, poor CGI though, and predictable jump scares.