There was a time in our lives when we couldn't stomach horror films. We actively avoided them and as a result, we missed out on a lot of classics. Now, more than two decades after its release, we finally got the chance to experience Chito S. Roño's Feng Shui. Thankfully, the film has aged like fine wine. While some of its elements serve as a time capsule of the era it came from, much of its storytelling and horror remain effective to this day. It may not be as terrifying as it probably was back then but there's still plenty here to appreciate.
Joy (Kris Aquino) and her family have just moved into a new house hoping for a better life. When she discovers a bagua mirror during a bus ride, her fortunes suddenly begin to change. She receives a bonus, gets a promotion, and even wins a supermarket raffle. However, her newfound luck comes with a disturbing catch. Joy soon discovers that people who previously saw themselves in the mirror have mysteriously died. She eventually learns that the mirror brings prosperity in exchange for a soul. Will Joy choose a life of abundance at the expense of everyone around her or will she to break the curse?
For its first half hour or so, Feng Shui admittedly feels rough around the edges. It initially comes across as generic and predictable with a relatively barebones setup that doesn't immediately inspire much excitement. However, the film gradually finds its footing as more of the bagua mirror's mythology is revealed. The narrative becomes increasingly engaging, turning into a guessing game of who will be next, how they will meet their demise, and whether Joy can stop the curse before it claims more lives. Interestingly, the film also goes beyond its supernatural premise as Joy finds herself confronting more grounded horrors, particularly the cracks in her marriage brought about by her husband's infidelity and estranged relationship with her mother in law. These personal struggles give the story another dimension beyond its traditional horror elements.
The best way we could describe Feng Shui is that it feels like a Filipino take on Final Destination, particularly in how it stages the deaths against local Chinese beliefs and superstitions. This cultural foundation makes its supernatural premise more intriguing. It also delivers several genuinely intense and memorable moments, particularly with the fate of Joy's friend Alice and its unusual ending leaves a lasting impression.
While Feng Shui may not be as frightening as we initially expected, it remains a well-rounded horror film with more going for it than just its scares. Its blend of supernatural horror, cultural beliefs, family drama, and creative death sequences makes it an entertaining experience even decades after its release.
Feng Shui (2004) Movie Review: Luck or Life
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