HORROR EXPRESS (2025)

I. PLOT OVERVIEW

Horror Express (2025) follows the story of Joo Hyun-joo (Go I-gyoung), a struggling YouTuber who has built her online career by staging fake supernatural events for her channel, Horror Express. Along with her unemployed brother Hyun-soo and his girlfriend Soyeon, they turn fear into a family business, using elaborate stunts and fake séances to attract viewers and gain popularity. But when their deception is exposed and Hyun-joo’s channel faces the threat of shutdown, she makes a desperate, dangerous move to save her career: a live broadcast from an infamous, cursed house, claiming to summon a Mayan goddess (Oh Ha-nee).

What begins as a stunt spirals quickly out of control when the supernatural forces Hyun-joo tries to manipulate suddenly become very real. The Mayan goddess speaks. The walls bleed. The house begins to reveal long-buried secrets, and a livestream meant to attract clicks becomes a terrifying fight for survival. As the spirits come to life and the consequences of her exploitation of fear become apparent, Hyun-joo is forced to confront the terrifying truth: some spirits do not forgive, and fear may be more dangerous than she ever imagined.

Horror Express is a found-footage horror satire that explores the dark side of social media obsession, where fame and deception collide with the ancient and the supernatural. With claustrophobic visuals, eerie sound design, and a biting critique of online fame, the film asks whether fear can be monetized—or if it will ultimately collect its price.

II. THEMES & EMOTIONAL DEPTH

Horror Express blends supernatural horror with a critical exploration of online fame, deception, and the ethical cost of exploiting fear for profit. The film examines how social media culture feeds on sensationalism and the lengths people are willing to go to chase fame, even at the expense of their authenticity and safety.

At its core, the film questions whether fear—specifically, artificial fear designed for entertainment—can become something that’s no longer in control. Hyun-joo’s manipulation of supernatural fear backfires, and the house, along with the vengeful goddess, exposes the consequences of deceiving an audience. The spirits, once a product for likes and views, soon become a real-life nightmare, showing the line between entertainment and reality can be terrifyingly thin.

Additionally, the theme of personal accountability runs through the film. Hyun-joo, who initially views her actions as harmless and profitable, must confront the consequences of exploiting others’ fears. As the supernatural forces she tried to control take on real power, the film explores the darker side of monetizing fear and exploiting people's vulnerabilities for entertainment.

III. CHARACTER DEVELOPMENT AND PERFORMANCE

• Go I-gyoung as Joo Hyun-joo: Go I-gyoung delivers a standout performance as Hyun-joo, the ambitious YouTuber who is forced to reckon with the consequences of her deception. Her portrayal of Hyun-joo’s descent from confident social media manipulator to desperate, terrified survivor is compelling, capturing the vulnerability hidden beneath her character’s bravado. Go effectively portrays the emotional conflict between Hyun-joo’s hunger for fame and the deep guilt she begins to feel as the situation spirals out of control.

• Hyun-soo: Hyun-soo, Joo Hyun-joo’s brother, plays a key role in the story, reluctantly supporting his sister’s increasingly risky antics. The character’s growing concern for his sister’s safety brings a much-needed humanizing element to the narrative, offering an emotional counterpoint to the high-stakes terror. His performance is layered, balancing reluctance with loyalty, and his journey represents the push-pull between familial duty and the ethical quandaries at the core of their shared deception.

• Soyeon: Soyeon, Hyun-soo’s girlfriend, brings a pragmatic perspective to the group. As the supernatural events unfold, Soyeon’s character shifts from skeptic to survivor. Her performance adds tension and depth to the narrative, especially as her character confronts the terrifying realities of the situation. Soyeon’s own emotional arc, as she navigates her growing fear and concern for her loved ones, provides a grounding force amid the chaos.

• Oh Ha-nee as The Mayan Goddess: As the supernatural entity, Oh Ha-nee delivers a haunting and chilling performance. Her portrayal of the Mayan goddess, once manipulated as part of a stunt, turns into something far more powerful and terrifying as the narrative progresses. Ha-nee’s character brings an unsettling presence to the film, serving as a reminder of how the supernatural cannot be tamed or exploited for entertainment.

IV. CINEMATOGRAPHY AND DIRECTION

Directed by Vince Kim, Horror Express takes full advantage of the found-footage format, immersing the audience in the claustrophobic atmosphere of the cursed house. The film’s visuals are intentionally grainy, shaky, and at times, disorienting, effectively building tension and making the audience feel like they are experiencing the terror in real-time. The handheld camera work adds to the immersion, pulling the viewer into the heart of the horror as it unfolds live on screen.

The use of dark lighting and shadow play within the house creates an ever-present sense of dread. As the supernatural elements escalate, the walls of the house seem to close in on the characters, and the visuals play with space and perspective, making the environment feel suffocating and alive. The atmosphere is thick with tension, with a sense that the house is an unwilling participant in the drama unfolding inside it.

The sound design is crucial in heightening the horror. From the unsettling whispers of the goddess to the eerie creaks of the house, the film’s soundscape adds an almost oppressive layer of fear. Every footstep, whisper, and scream feels amplified, further immersing the viewer in the escalating terror. The score, minimal but chilling, complements the eerie sound design, intensifying key moments of horror and building to a terrifying crescendo as the story progresses.

V. FINAL VERDICT

Horror Express (2025) is a dark, claustrophobic, and satirical horror film that blends supernatural terror with a sharp critique of social media culture. The performances, particularly from Go I-gyoung and Oh Ha-nee, drive the film’s emotional depth, while the found-footage style keeps the tension high and the stakes even higher.

The film explores the dangers of exploiting fear for fame and the haunting consequences when the supernatural forces we try to control turn on us. With a blend of horror, humor, and social commentary, Horror Express provides a fresh and terrifying perspective on modern fears, both real and imagined.

Rating: 8/10
A terrifyingly immersive horror film with sharp social commentary, Horror Express offers a compelling mix of supernatural terror and modern-day issues. A must-watch for fans of found-footage horror and social satire.