Summary
A shorter runtime would make a more fulfilling watch, although the plot twist should keep audiences entertained.
This review of Netflix’s newest Thai horror film, Ghost Lab (2021), contains no spoilers.
At nearly 2 hours in length, Ghost Lab is 50 minutes too long and would benefit significantly if the first quarter got cut completely. However, once I got past the first half, the film improved considerably. Which, in turn, became a rewarding and exciting watch.
This story follows Wee (Thanapob Leeratanakajorn) and Dr. Arj-Ong (Paris Intarakomalyasut), two friends who work at a hospital. Both actors play the roles well, bringing life and depth to the film, which has a limited cast.
When Dr. Arj was younger, he believed that he saw his Dad’s spirit and has grown obsessed with the theory ever since. Meanwhile, Wee works at the hospital purely to be closer to his ill mother. However, after experiencing a ghost encounter together, they soon find themselves embarked on a mission to prove that ghosts exist. Arj brings Wee to his Ghost Lab as they set about trying to prove ghosts exist. Their main problem? Ghosts are unable to be on camera.
The first 50 minutes of Netflix’s Ghost Lab is, to be brutally honest, extremely boring. I found myself desperately hoping that something exciting would develop. And then, at around the 50-minute mark, something massive happened. I will be surprised if anyone will see it coming. It is at this point that the wild ride begins and I became fully invested in the film. The last 30 minutes are even better. With further thrills and a faster pace, the film becomes a crazy ride that is hard to predict as to what may happen next. This is when Ghost Lab is at its peak. Exciting, creepy, and nail-biting!
What did gain my interest through Ghost Lab are the moral questions it raised. Wee and Arj question whether they should trick a dying girl into falling in love with them. All so they can prove ghosts do exist. It’s an interesting plot development that brings further depth to the characters.
Concluding with an emotional and haunting climax, Ghost Lab is a lot different than what I expected when I started watching the film. Despite my initial boredom, Ghost Lab improves with one massive twist, and it becomes hard to predict what will happen next.
