Written and Directed By: Kelvin Tong

Starring: Alessandra De Rossi, Chen Shu Cheng, Hong Hui Fang, Benny Soh

Legend has it that the gates of Hell open and the dead walk the Earth during the Chinese Calendar Seventh Month. There are rules for humans to follow for the 30 days in order to survive. Break them and you face the haunting consequences of your actions. Rosa, a young woman, arrives in Singapore from the Philippines to work as a domestic maid. A non-believer in the supernatural world, she innocently breaks the rules, one by one. Now she will understand that the spirits should never be disturbed…As I sat down to view this film I knew that I was in for something that would be genuinely creepy and somewhat twisted as any other Asian horror film that I had previously purchased in the past. Let me tell you, I was more than right.The Maid is a dark and terrifying horror film with an ending so twisted it will leave you in an almost state of shock. As the film opens up you hear the voice of first a man and then a woman explaining the Chinese traditions and rules that must take place during Chinese Seventh Month to pay respect to their ancestors and to appease the wandering spirits so that they will bless and protect them.

 

18 year old Rosa (Alessandra De Rossi) is scared to be leaving home for the very first time in her life as any 18 year old is, especially when it's far away from their home. Little does she know that this is only the beginning of her nightmare. Rosa arrives in Singapore to begin work as a maid for family that seems almost normal. But like any other family, they have their own dark secrets to hide. Strange things begin to happen, and Rosa begins to learn that not only is there a vengeful spirit lurking in the darkness but her being hired as the families maid is about to have some dire consequences. I won't go into any further detail for fear of ruining it for you but I will tell you this is a must see if you are a truly die-hard horror fan and you love the feeling of being scared.The Maid is like any other Tartan Asia Extreme release or otherwise. It's creepy and gives you chills. The thing I like most about Asian horror films is that they actually deliver on the scares. There is not allot of overdone blood and gore, not that I dislike that. Sometimes there's a little gore and sometimes none at all, but the film still brings on the terror never less.

 

There is no cheesy over-acting like most, not all, horror films that are Hollywood made here in the states. The actors and actresses in the films really do appear terrified when they come into contact with some dark, evil entity and make you believe they are scared right out of their minds. The writers come up with a story that scares the hell out of you. The directors really put themselves into their work as well and know how to make a story work.In my opinion, Kelvin Tong did a remarkable job on writing and directing a well thought out horror film such as The Maid, and Alessandra De Rossi portrayed her character of Rosa really well. I can't wait to see what Kelvin Tong comes up with next, because if it's labeled horror then you know you're in for something truly horrifying. Would I recommend this? Most definitely! But be warned. If you can't stand subtitles, this film may not be for you? For those of us who can stand the subtitles and can appreciate the film in it's original spoken language, well, I'm sure you already know my thoughts there. 

 

Nightscares Mike