Thirteen Ghosts Stories (2025) is a chilling horror anthology that blends Asian folklore, psychological terror, and supernatural suspense into one unforgettable cinematic experience. Directed by a visionary team of filmmakers including Timo Tjahjanto, Banjong Pisanthanakun, and Lê Văn Kiệt, the film offers thirteen self-contained stories, each haunted by its own unique ghost—and its own brand of fear.
True to its title, the film is structured as thirteen separate tales of ghostly encounters, ranging from urban legends and wartime hauntings to ancient curses and twisted revenge. Each segment runs approximately 8 to 10 minutes, creating a tight, focused horror punch that wastes no time in building suspense and delivering scares.
The framing device involves a mysterious storyteller (played by Tony Leung Chiu-wai) who gathers souls in a candlelit room to recount each ghost story—one tale for each extinguished flame. This setup adds cohesion and dread as the stories progress.
While each segment offers something distinct, a few stories stand out:
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“The Red Room” (directed by Banjong Pisanthanakun) explores the viral legend of a cursed website that marks visitors for death, blending tech paranoia with J-horror atmosphere.
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“Whispers in Hue” (by Lê Văn Kiệt) tells of a grieving mother in post-war Vietnam haunted by the voice of her dead daughter, merging emotional pain with traditional spirit beliefs.
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“Bone Garden” (from Timo Tjahjanto) is perhaps the most brutal and bloody, featuring an exorcist who discovers too late that his latest client isn't the haunted—he’s the vessel.
Other segments vary in tone—some are tragic and poetic, others are vicious and nightmarish—but all are crafted with striking attention to detail and cultural authenticity.
The visual style across the anthology is stunning, with each story using distinct color palettes, camera techniques, and set design. From shadowy temples to decaying apartments, every segment feels immersive and specific to its setting.
The sound design is equally sharp. Whispering voices, distant screams, and eerie silence are used effectively to unnerve viewers. The minimalist score, composed by a rotating team of regional composers, matches the tone of each tale without overwhelming the mood.
At its core, Thirteen Ghosts Stories is not just about fear—it’s about grief, guilt, cultural identity, and unresolved trauma. Many stories draw from Southeast Asian and East Asian beliefs about the afterlife, reincarnation, and ancestral spirits. There’s a richness to the folklore that gives the horror real emotional weight.
The tone shifts from one story to the next, but there's a consistent feeling of dread and melancholy that runs throughout. It’s less about jump scares and more about slowly tightening tension and moral consequence.
Thirteen Ghosts Stories (2025) is a rare anthology that doesn’t feel uneven or gimmicky. With strong direction, gripping visuals, and stories rooted deeply in cultural myth, it reinvents the horror anthology format for global audiences. Whether you’re a casual viewer or a seasoned horror fan, there's something in this collection that will stay with you—long after the lights go out.
