Fear Created Through Music
Released on December 5, 2018, the film Door Lock creates fear through well-timed music, even without ghosts or graphic violence. Is there really no violent scene at all? There is a brief moment—about one second—showing an arm being sawed, which some viewers may find disturbing. However, even without this scene, the sense of horror would not disappear.
Door Lock attracted 1.56 million viewers and won the Director of the Year Award at the 14th Korea University Film Festival in 2019, as well as the Thriller Award at the 37th Brussels International Fantastic Film Festival. Although the exact break-even point is unknown, I consider it a well-made film.
Gong Hyo-jin’s Facial Acting
Actress Gong Hyo-jin delivers strong facial expressions of fear and curiosity. However, because these expressions are repeated throughout the film, the lack of variety makes her performance feel somewhat monotonous.
An Unknown Culprit
Gong Hyo-jin plays Jo Kyung-min, who lives alone in an officetel. One night, someone knocks on her door, and she calls the police. The police respond that there is nothing they can do and leave. While Kyung-min is asleep, a man touches her head. Just as Kyung-min does not know who the culprit is, the audience is also kept in the dark. Until the reveal, I had no idea who the culprit was—perhaps I simply wasn’t perceptive enough. There is no major twist in the film; rather, it simply withholds the identity of the culprit.
Winter
The season in Door Lock is winter. As a result, the characters wear dark, plain clothing instead of bright outfits, and many scenes are visually dark. As the season changes, a radio announcement mentioning “the spring equinox” is heard just before the ending. One wonders how different the film’s sense of fear might have been if it had been bright and colorful.
A Stranger Under the Bed
Watching the ending made me think that the space under the bed is dangerous. Believing you are alone at home, only to realize that someone you don’t know is there with you—this idea alone is enough to create fear.