St. John's Wort DVD Review

Nami (Megumi Okina), has inherited a sprawling mansion from her late father, who was a recluse artist. Her boyfriend, kohei (Yoichiro Saito), is the head of a team of developers working on a survival horror game. Nami and kohei head out to the mansion to map out the building for the game. Once inside, things soon start to get weird when Nami learns of a twin sister that she never knew she had, and the house itself is full of creepy paintings, secret passages, locked doors and some shuddersome dolls. As the story unfolds the pair have to pit their wits against the house and it's dark secrets.

Anyone who's played Resident Evil, or any similar survival horror games, will recognise elements of these in St. John's Wort. It was shot on digital cameras, this combined with handheld sequences, computer effects and vivid, surreal colours give an unique look to the film. As with most Asian horror, the tension is built by the atmosphere rather than excessive violence and gore and St. John's Wort manages to be both creepy and captivating. The delightful Megumi Okina is great as Nami, her character reacts convincingly to the various revelations that are thrown at her. All in all, an unusual and entertaining film.

St. John's Wort. 2001

Directed by Shimoyama Ten