Tenement (2024)

This Cambodian psychological horror film stands out for its enveloping atmosphere and its ability to interweave reality with dreams, managing to disconcert the viewer on multiple occasions.

The main character, Soriya, is Cambodian by birth, but lives in Japan with her boyfriend. After the death of her mother, she decides to visit her aunt, whom she does not know, as she is the only family she has left in Cambodia.

When she arrives, the taxi driver warns her that very serious events have taken place in the past in the building they are going to. The building, which dates back to the Khmer Rouge era, is in a deplorable state.

Cambodian filmmakers Inrasothythep Neth and Sokyou Chea combine Cambodia's historical past with Soriya's haunting return to his roots.

As the plot progresses, the traumas of the past begin to affect Soriya, who begins to experience the presence of ghostly entities.

The terror in the film is primarily psychological and is presented in a dreamlike manner, with multiple reveries impacting Soriya from the moment she arrives.

The filmmakers manage to capture the essence of the dilapidated building, creating a tense atmosphere, complemented by elegant photography and exceptional sound design that intensifies the tension and claustrophobia felt by the protagonists.

However, the script is one of the weak points, as it is reminiscent of many similar films and focuses more on visual design than on exploring the family trauma or the protagonist's search for identity.

Despite this, the film manages to convey a disturbing unease thanks to its dense mise-en-scène that generates the desired tension.

The performances fulfil their role in the narrative, although none stand out in particular. The chemistry between Soriya and Daichi works at times, but at others it feels forced and lacks real involvement in the events taking place.

The same can be said of Soriya's family, whose presence is fairly testimonial, with the exception of her aunt, who from the outset conveys a sense of unease.