To help Vietnamese horror films reach a higher level.

Over the past two years, Vietnamese horror films have seen significant improvements in both box office revenue and influence. From a genre once considered a "low point" in domestic cinema, it has now become a box office hotspot and a favorite choice for a large segment of the audience.

However, behind this impressive success lies a significant challenge: how to maintain momentum, avoid falling into a rut, and sustain lasting appeal?

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A prominent strength of contemporary Vietnamese horror films is their thorough exploitation of folklore. Unlike in the past, when films easily fell into borrowed motifs and lacked originality, many filmmakers now proactively seek out folk legends and spiritual beliefs deeply ingrained in Vietnamese life to build their stories.

Moreover, horror films are becoming increasingly diverse in their forms of expression. Some directors boldly combine psychological, detective, and supernatural elements into their terrifying stories. This genre blend opens up new avenues, helping horror films escape the monotonous shadow of purely jump-scare movies. In addition, investment in technical aspects, visuals, and sound is also significantly improving, providing a more impressive visual and auditory experience than before.

The Ghost Lamp

PHOTO: MANUFACTURER

However, with the increasing number of horror films, it's easy to see that the market may face saturation. The rapid release of many films in the same genre in a short period of time can easily bore audiences, especially since not all films are of comparable quality. Repetitive motifs, predictable storytelling, or forced plot resolutions are issues that some recent works have failed to overcome.

In the future, filmmakers will no longer be able to rely solely on folklore as a ready-made formula. They need to invest more in scriptwriting, a common weakness in many Vietnamese films, not just horror ones. A logical story with deep psychological depth and unexpected plot twists is always key to keeping viewers engaged until the end. Furthermore, thinking beyond a single film and aiming to build consistent cinematic universes is also essential.

Furthermore, providing thorough training for young screenwriters and directors—those who are sensitive to market trends but need additional professional skills—is also a long-term foundation for ensuring quality.

The current market is very favorable for horror films: audiences are receptive, theaters favor them, and the media is ready to support them. However, precisely during this period of rapid growth, the issue of sustainable development needs to be seriously considered, ensuring that this is not just a fleeting fad but a long-term creative trend with its own unique identity and continuous innovation to retain audiences.

Source: https://thanhnien.vn/de-phim-kinh-di-viet-vuon-tam-185250413212748917.htm