After spending the evening partying with close friends and having a few drinks, Tun (Ananda Everingham) and Jane (Natthaweeranuch Thongmee), decide to call it a night and head home. However, during their drive, a tragic incident occurs. While Jane is driving and Tun is the passenger, they accidentally hit a woman on the road with their car. Tun urges Jane to continue driving, considering the consequences of what has just happened. Although Jane feels hesitant at first, she ultimately accepts Tun’s firm demands and drives away from the scene, leaving the woman behind.
As a short time passes, Tun notices various strange and unexplainable occurrences. He enjoys photography, but when he goes to pick up his latest prints from a local shop, he discovers that they are filled with printing errors. However, when he speaks with the staff, they assure him that there is nothing wrong with their printer and that the prints are as they should be. Additionally, Tun begins experiencing some health-related issues, such as neck pain, which he had never dealt with before the accident. After visiting a specialist and undergoing several scans, he starts to suspect that he, Jane, and his close friends are being haunted.
Tun and Jane decide to conduct their own investigation, including a trip back to the location of the accident. There, they discover from the authorities that no injured body was ever found after the hit and run. As they continue their investigation, they encounter various ghostly appearances, particularly through photographs. Will Tun and Jane be able to fully understand what is happening and identify the mysterious presence that is haunting them?
Shutter is a horror movie, filled with effective jump scares and creepy moments throughout. In addition to being a horror film, it also serves as a thriller. The film is directed by Banjong Pisanthanakun and Parkpoom Wongpoom, both of whom have experience in the horror genre. They have previously directed other films, including Alone (2007), and have focused on genres such as mystery and horror. It is also worth noting that Banjong, Parkpoom, and Sophon Sakdaphisit contributed as writers for Shutter.
I enjoyed the film immensely. It gets underway quickly, introducing characters almost instantly through a blend of tragedy, horror, and mystery that hooks the audience right away. The horror elements are compelling and well-executed. The jump scares are effective—even when I anticipated them—and I always found myself on the edge of my seat, expecting another scary moment to occur at any time. The mystery aspect was also strong, and I found the entire journey to be unpredictable. Looking back at the reveals, I realise that I should have seen them coming. However, for some reason, this film consistently surprised me with every minor reveal throughout.
Another element worth praising is the film’s atmosphere and accompanying sound effects. The atmosphere is often creepy, dark, and unsettling. While watching, I was always on edge, prepared for something ghostly to appear. When it does, it’s often simple yet still effective in the context of the film. I also really appreciated the sound design. The sound of the camera, along with the suspense it generates, is something I found impossible to ignore. The makeup and costuming of the mysterious ghostly presence are impressive and enjoyable. Like the sound design, they effectively contribute to the suspense and create an unsettling atmosphere whenever she is revealed, especially in Tan’s photographs.
Overall, I found Shutter to be an outstanding horror film. It instantly immerses the viewer in its characters and storyline, offering a creepy yet highly effective concept. The ghostly presence in the movie is genuinely terrifying, and I found the jump scares to be particularly effective. Beyond the horror elements, the film presents a compelling and engaging mystery, making it exciting to watch as everything unfolds and comes together for a shocking and memorable finale. In terms of performances, I was impressed, and the film’s sound design (even when rewatching it in 4K UHD) hit all the right notes for me. For those who enjoy both horror and mystery, Shutter is a must-watch; its atmosphere alone will leave you shuddering in your seat.
Shutter (2004) is Now Avaialble on 4K UHD thanks to Umbrella.
Published: 14th June 2025
Written by: Peter Walkden
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