The Fifth Thoracic Vertebra is a 2022 South Korean arthouse drama horror film about a creature born in an abandoned mattress that travels around the country feasting on its victims’ vertebrae, struggling to break free from the bed, the mould, and its past.
Written, photographed, directed and edited by Park Sye-young, making his feature directorial debut. The movie stars Moon Hyein, Haam Seokyoung, On Jeongyen and Jung Sumin.
Reviews:
” …the camera changes distances and speeds according to the circumstance, ranging from extreme close-ups to POV, to middle shots, to time-lapse. The combination with Han Min-hee’s electronic music is another aspect that adds to the sci-fi factor of the movie, while the presence of the creature emits a constant sense of danger that works quite well for the overall atmosphere. “Asian Movie Pulse
“Despite its brutal premise, it’s low on gore, communicating a great deal through stains and simple, practical effects work. Where it could easily have been gimmicky or relied on comedy, instead it achieves something magical and illuminating. A rare piece of truly creative, empathic cinema.” ★★★★ Eye for Film
“A melancholic, monstrous romantic horror with a very unusual take on time, this sets human dramas and dreams against a much broader, more irrational canvas of nature. Episodic and abstract, its utterly gonzo premise drifts to an ending of unexpected sadness and awe.” Projected Figures
“Park employs a number of styles in his feature debut, with the cinematography ranging from time-lapse photography to intimate, handheld closeups, while the grading of the film incorporates striking green, beige and red and occasionally coarse digital grain. The ethereal electronic soundtrack, which includes a refreshing cover of Claude Debussy’s oft-used ‘Claire to Lune’, complements the film’s eerie tone.” Screen Anarchy
“The icky elements of the film are modest, as Park strives for something more soulful and otherworldly. Coloured filters and gaudy production design convey some of the extreme emotional states. Time-lapse photography captures a sense of decay in an apartment […] There is a dreamlike quality to the entire film…” Screen Daily
“As its mysterious fungus character is developed more and more in terms of mind and body, the movie often throws striking visual moments which feel weirder with its atmospheric synthesizer score, and these bizarre scenes alternatively baffle and fascinate us – even though we are not so certain about what they actually mean or represent in the context of the film.” ★★★ out of ★★★★ Seongyong’s Private Place
Release:
The Fifth Thoracic Vertebra premiered at the Bucheon International Film Festival (BiFan) in South Korea on October 7, 2022, and has been shown at the Leeds International Film Festival in the UK, Torino Film Festival in Italy and Fantaspoa International Fantastic Film Festival in Brazil.
The movie was released in South Korea on August 2, 2023. In the US, IndiePix Unlimited released The Fifth Thoracic Vertebra on their streaming service on September 15, 2023.
Trailer [1080p HD]:
Technical specs:
1 hour 2 minutes
