Pee Mak

One part ghost story and four parts Beavis and Butt-Head-and number one of all time at the Thai box office-Shutter co-director Banjong Pisanthanakun's Pee Mak is a hilarious send-up of horror movie conventions that owes as much to Scary Movie III as it does to Thailand's favorite lovelorn ghost, Mae Nak. By now every Thai child knows the tale: wounded country boy Mak returns home to his village after the war-this time around with his four best buddies in tow-to reunite with his love and their son, only something is not quite right. While Mak gets mushy with his devoted bride (Thai/Belgian model Davika Hoorne), the four friends gamely set up in a neighboring house that's conveniently been abandoned by frightened villagers-everyone seems to believe Mak's wife is a ghost, and not without good reason. Between all the stringy long black hair, outrageous physical gags, and genuine scares on display, you might gloss over the film's blink-and-you'll-miss-it barrage of on-point cultural references and its luxe cinematography. Try to keep your eyes open: Pee Mak is a rare treat-certified art and certified pop.

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