Ghost Lab is a horror film directed by Paween Purijitpanya and starring Thanapob Leeratanakachorn, Paris Intarakomalyasut and Nuttanicha Dungwattanawanich in lead roles.
After witnessing a haunting in their hospital, two doctors become dangerously obsessed with obtaining scientific proof that ghosts exist.
Doctors Wee and Gla are interested in the paranormal. Ghost Lab starts off with Wee saying something interesting, “I never said I wasn’t afraid of ghosts, I just don’t believe in them.” That’s an interesting way to put the concept. Gla, however, is much more vocal about how anything paranormal excites him. He wants the nurses at the station to tell him if they see anything paranormal and the thought seems to make him excited beyond words.
It is during these moments that the film tries to give us as much background information as it can about the characters whom we are expected to follow. We get to know about Wee’s mother and her illness as well as Gla’s girlfriend. It’s a way for us to feel an attachment and root for the characters when they get into some shit, when they definitely will, considering the title of the film. It also contextualises a lot of things that will happen in the latter half.
10-15 minutes into Ghost Lab you get your first slice of the paranormal. It’s a bizarre watch because of how improbable what we’re seeing on-screen is. Wee and Gla are taken aback; however, after the apparition vanishes, the latter seems to not be able to contain his excitement. Wee is more horror-struck though.
They then find a camera-free zone in the hospital where they dive into supernatural experiments to prove the existence of the paranormal, on par with the title. Gla’s whole life is about researching ghosts and proving that they exist. We get an explanation for it then and there, there’s no beating around the bush. Wee, who was hesitant a moment ago, agrees to help him almost instantaneously.
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The boys then set out to find poltergeist activities around them, since it’s easier to record. However, these late-night escapades result in them not getting enough sleep which has an adverse effect on their jobs. Additionally, curiosity is a dangerous thing. And after tragedy strikes, Wee decides to do something a little unorthodox.
But if you thought Ghost Lab was unbelievable before this, wait till you reach the halfway mark. Holy shit the movie takes a weird path to ghosts. This weird path, however, is surprisingly new, I’d say. The shock factor when things take a horrifying turn is very in-your-face and shock the hell out of you. Additionally, the poltergeist activities that we see before are also pretty great. There aren’t many jumpscares but the ones that are there are pretty good, I’d say.
With around half an hour remaining, Ghost Lab takes another turn. Wee and Gla turn into opposite people than who they were before and it’s such a nail-biting experience. The last half is the best part of this film and leads Thanapob Leeratanakachorn and Paris Intarakomalyasut do a great job with the roles that they are given. Thanapob and Paris’s depictions of what happens when you go overboard with your curiosity will touch your heart and by the end of everything, you might shed a tear or two as well.
Summing up: Ghost Lab
Ghost Lab is an enjoyable experience that does well with its horror tropes. Sit tight and watch the first half to get something visceral in the second. True, suspension of disbelief is necessary, but it will definitely be rewarding. Moreover, the leads are great in their roles and there’s a good balance of emotional and supernatural to keep things fresh and entertaining.
Ghost Lab is streaming on Netflix.
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