It's the audience who are victimized in the Thai horror film The Victim, where viewers are forced to endure the unsettling atmosphere, coupled with frequent scenes of in your face terror. Plenty of chills are provided, from not only the visual imagery, but the use of sound, voices from unseen lips often alerting characters and viewers alike to the next insidious occurrence, while the score, with its heightened level of music, although stereotypical of many horror features, encompasses every moment something supernatural appears.
Corridors, homes, vehicles and apartment complexes are reduced to unsafe locations, and though none of these are exactly original when in contrast with other like features, the film maintains the constant feel of imminent danger, and unlike in some films where there are brief moments when the audience can relax, content nothing dreadful will come of the protagonists, this luxury is one viewers are never afforded here. The use of camera is as equally outstanding, especially when from the point of view of apparitions chasing hapless victims to their impending doom, the suspense during these segments been utterly heart pounding.
Though some scares are predictable, as are some of the plot elements, the make-up effects bring the ghastly images to life, and when special affects are utilized, these too increase the fear, although on more than one occasion they stand unsteadily between realistic and fake. The possession elements in the film feel uniquely entertaining in contrast with a wealth of other features in the genre, and this would have been better presented if the developers had not been intent on incorporating so many ideas. Instead of genuinely flowing, some instances feel unreasonably forced, although never do these impact nefariously on the horror aspects.
The Victim moreover does contain a certain amount of violence, although never does it feel as though the plot is reliant on blood to keep the audience enthralled, while at the same time, a number of death scenes might leave viewer's remembering similar moments from The Ring.
This aside however, the opening premise of the feature doesn't originally prove to be as thoroughly entertaining, and I personally was initially unsure if I should find it laughable or insulting that the reenactment of murder scenes brings on fits of hysterics from our lead character, who giggles like an immature schoolgirl. Furthermore, the film provides a number of unforeseen twists and turns along the way, however the film's handling of these moments is less than admirable. Where some features may hint at a possible surprise, The Victim fails to do so, and thus when they occur, it is less of an 'ah ha!' moment, once everything has come together, and more of an 'oh... really?'.
Pitchanart Sakakorn is Ting, a struggling actress who aspires for more, when Lieutenant Te (Kiradej Ketakinta) of the local police force overhears her discussing her latest role. In his uniform, Lieutenant Te appears confident and dependable, although when we first meet him, his unimaginative attire renders him very common in appearance, and judging by the tone exhibited by the feature up until that point, I had difficulty attempting to fathom if he really were an officer, or if this was just some random pick-up line. At the same time however, the story-line's depiction of his character seems unnecessarily obscure, Lieutenant Te appearing in a number of scenes, before disappearing for a while and reappearing again later, as though the writers occasionally forgot he were even a member of the plot.
Accepting the Lieutenant's offer, Ting finds herself growing exponentially popular in her new role with the police, alongside finding a steady stream of income. When Meen (Apasiri Nitibhon), a former Miss. Thailand contestant is brutally murdered, Ting dedicates all of her skills to portraying her during her last moments, with such gusto that even the spirits take notice. Now, overcome with vivid images, and discovering segments of her recent activity are inexplicably missing from her memory, she is forced to realize that obsession can go both ways. She adamantly wanted to portray Meen, but now, it seems, Meen wants to adamantly portray her - permanently.
Frequently scary, to the point that you will once again be frightened of not only the dark, but ghostly aspirations too, although The Victim's opening could have employed less emphasis on humor, and the conclusion could have been executed to a higher standard, this particular Thai horror film is legitimately spooky, and if you don't mind occasionally shaking your head in disbelief, then you should definitely procure a copy.