The Shocking True Story That Inspired the Terrifying Taiwanese Horror Film Incantation Revealed

I can’t help but express my admiration for the chilling Taiwanese horror film titled “Incantation,” which is unsettlingly inspired by a grisly true account. Debuted by director Kevin Ko in Taiwan in 2022, it later found its way onto Netflix in July of the same year. Remarkably, “Incantation” became the top-grossing original Taiwanese horror film ever (as reported by THR). This haunting and meticulously constructed found-footage horror masterpiece spans numerous years, portraying a family in Taiwan who unwittingly encounter a demonic ritual that could be either genuine or a hoax. The tragic and inexplicable events that unfold are truly captivating.

Found-footage horror films can be particularly scary due to their efforts to deceive viewers into believing the movie events are authentic. This was more feasible in the era of The Blair Witch Project, as people didn’t have instant access to the internet for fact-checking. However, movies like Incantation demonstrate that even a hint of reality can significantly increase the sense of dread. Regardless of whether Incantation is based on true events, it stands out as one of the most terrifying Asian horror films.

Incantation Is Inspired By Real-Life Events That Happened To A Taiwanese Family

The Wu Family Claims They Were All Possessed

Although the story may seem like pure fantasy, there is a grain of truth behind the idea that incantations hold some validity. This is evident in the case of the Wus, a Taiwanese family residing in the Gushan District of Kaohsiung, a bustling city in southern Taiwan (as detailed in “Storm”). In 2005, the youngest sister started claiming that she was under the influence of an entity known as the “Third Prince”. She warned her family that her eldest sister, who lived in Taipei, was in grave danger and needed to return home. Shortly after, the eldest sister too claimed to be possessed, identifying herself as “Guanyin Bodhisattva”.

In my humble opinion as a movie critic, it became increasingly ominous when the eldest member of the family was sanctified at Wuzhi Mountain on the island of Hainan. This seemingly innocuous event only served to exacerbate the situation, and before long, all the Wus were convinced that they were under the malevolent influence of supernatural entities such as “Jade Emperor”, “Queen Mother of the West”, and “Seven Fairies”. The family’s members started to turn against each other in a chilling display of animosity, striking one another with crutches, setting fires with incense, hurling rice and salt, and force-feeding each other repugnant concoctions of waste products, all in a desperate bid to purge these spectral tormentors.

For several weeks, they persisted with this unusual practice, drinking only a special water solution as their food. Tragically, a month later, the oldest daughter succumbed to her condition and passed away. The family believed she was still alive and took her to the hospital, but she was soon confirmed dead. Although she had bruises, it was discovered that she died due to multiple organ failure, which was most likely caused by severe malnutrition from not eating enough food (as reported in LTN). It wasn’t long after the eldest daughter’s death that the Wus claimed the evil spirits had finally departed from them.

The Wus attempted to clarify their belongings to the officials, yet it was concluded that the family was collectively under a shared delusion about their beliefs. This tragic situation may have been rooted in the Wu family’s long-standing superstitions concerning ghosts and deities. Although Incantation is not a direct depiction of this event, it seems that certain aspects of the film were influenced by this incident.

The Similarities Between Incantation And The Real Story

Incantation Is Not Based On, But Inspired By The Wu Story

In contrast to what one might initially assume, the movie “Incantation” shares fewer parallels with its true-life counterpart than you’d think, given that it’s based on it. However, there is a common thread of possession depicted in the film, mirroring real-life occurrences. Interestingly, in the film, the power of evil seems to diminish as more individuals come into contact with the possessed. So, both narratives revolve around multiple people being affected by possession. Similarly, “Incantation” follows a woman’s return to her hometown, much like the Wu daughter, and a visit to a mountainous religious altar only intensifies the situation’s complexity.

In the actual narrative, members of the Wu family endure harm as they struggle desperately to shield one another from being possessed. In the movie Incantation, Li Ronan (Tsai Hsuan-yen), a frantic mother, exposes the audience to danger in an effort to rescue her daughter Dodo (Huang Sin-ting) who is under possession. Both characters are ready to inflict pain on others to safeguard their loved ones.

What Incantation Changes From The Real Story

Incantation Makes Definitive Statements On The Nature Of The Possession

In contrast to what actually occurred in the Wu family’s history, the movie “Incantation” presents several discrepancies. For instance, whereas there is no tangible evidence of demonic possession in reality, the film provides concrete proof of such possession. However, it’s important to note that there are no verified videos or images of terrifying demons associated with the Wus. Additionally, “Incantation” focuses on a more compact family unit, primarily centering around a mother and her daughter who experience possession-related incidents, unlike the actual Wu family.

The narrative of “Incantation” unfolds over an extended period instead of just a few weeks within the Wu family’s timeline. Initially, authorities rejected the Wu family’s explanation for their daughter’s demise, but Li Ronan has a community that shares mystical beliefs and can comprehend her situation. This makes the Wu family’s ordeal even more distressing because they couldn’t find anyone who could empathize with their experiences, whether they were dealing with something supernatural or psychological.

What Director Kevin Ko Says About Incantation

Ko Wanted To Bring the Audience Into The Movie’s Curse

In a conversation (through Vallistw), Kevin Ko, the director of ‘Incantation’, shared insights on what sparked the creation of his movie.

The movie drew its inspiration from an actual incident that took place in Kaohsiung, Taiwan, back in 2005. When I first heard about it, my initial thought was: there are people in Taiwan who believe in some rather unusual things. Much like we were warned as children to steer clear of a certain relative because they believed in something peculiar, so too should we be cautious about such beliefs.

The events experienced by Li Ronan and her daughter may not seem genuine or believable to some, as it takes a while in the film for their authenticity to become clear. Ko delves further into these “unusual occurrences.

The deep-rooted awe and caution towards certain things that Taiwanese people often feel is quite tenacious and relatable. This notion could be likened to a ‘toxic’ substance, as anything toxic has the potential to harm or negatively impact us – in essence, bring misfortune upon us.

Whatever happens inside the cave is harmful and deadly for those who come into contact with it. Worse still, it seems to be spreading, which is why Li Ronan urges viewers in the movie to “catch” this curse. This part of the film was a deliberate choice by Ko, who stated that it was intended as a creative element.

The movie uses an engaging style that invites viewers to actively participate, grasp its concepts, and learn subtly – much like a sharable item, mirroring the cursed motif within the film’s narrative.

Ko effectively engages the audience in the movie ‘Incantation’, making them feel as if they’re part of the curse. While ‘Incantation’ isn’t based on real events, it subtly implies that we, as an audience, are prone to believing in and fearing the unknown and supernatural.

2025-05-02 00:28