31 Days of Asian Horror: Thirst (2009)

Today’s Thirsty Thursday offering is the 2009 South Korean vampire horror film directed by Park Chan Wook (Oldboy, Snow Piercer), Thirst. Starring Song Kang Ho as a Catholic priest who turns into a vampire after a failed medical experiment, Thirst is about lust, desire, and the consequences of your actions when one is torn between what they want and their faith. The film is loosely based on the 1867 novel Therese Raquin by Emile Zola.

Thirst is a different take on a vampire film and focuses on a different direction in the genre. It takes you on an unsuspecting ride that focuses much more on Sang Hyun’s (Song) inner struggle with his change and the actions he has to do to satiate who he is as a monster than gore or fantasy. Kim Ok Bin plays the literal manifestation of the devil on his shoulder and does a fantastic job. I do think the movie takes a bit too long to get there, but in the end I thought it was a solid movie and definitely suggest picking it up.

Thirst is currently available for rent/purchase on most major platforms.

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