Exorcist nun Talia (Stephanie Lee) teams up with detective Oh Lee (Lee Shin Seong) to investigate a chilling string of mysterious suicides each seemingly triggered by the arrival of an anonymous piece of cloth. The fabric, delivered without a name or return address, appears harmless at first until its recipients begin to display erratic behavior that culminates in mass suicide. As the investigation deepens, Talia uncovers a dark curse rooted in ritual and spiritual traditions from Vietnam.

The story behind Incarnation is as haunting as the film itself. Inspired by director Roh Noh Yong-Jin’s personal spiritual experiences during his time living in Vietnam, the screenplay took seven years to write. With no studio backing, Roh funded the production independently working side jobs as a motorbike taxi driver and food courier to bring his vision to life. Lead actress Stephanie Lee initially turned down the role, finding the script too terrifying. It was only after consulting with her pastor that she agreed to take part. During filming, child actress Kim Tae-yeon reportedly suffered recurring nightmares, and several crew members claimed to witness supernatural occurrences on set. The film faced bans in several Southeast Asian countries due to its depiction of culturally sensitive mystical rituals. Yet despite the controversy or perhaps because of it Incarnation has drawn comparisons to The Wailing (2016) by Na Hong-Jin, earning the title of its “spiritual successor.” What sets Incarnation apart is its minimal reliance on CGI. Instead, the film leans heavily on practical effects and a thick, foreboding atmosphere to deliver a terror that feels all too real. LSF has classified Incarnation as suitable for audiences aged 17 plus. Be Discerning in Selecting Content Suitable for Your Age. (fas)