Taiwanese Horror Films: What To Know Before Watching

Taiwanese horror films are chock full of cultural references that are bound to go over your head. To sort you out, we’ve compiled a master list of rumors, stories, taboos, and superstitions associated with each movie mentioned in this article.

There are undoubtedly more references that will appear than those mentioned here, but at least you’ll be better prepared. And more understanding as to why your Taiwanese friend is terrified.

Cultural References

Taoist Spells (aka talismans)

What looks like pieces of colored tissue paper with writing on them are actually spells warding off evil. These are usually attached to trees, bushes, or a place where something dangerous has previously occurred. Keep an eye out for them; it’s likely that you’ll see them in most Taiwanese horror films.

Movies you’ll see this in:

• Incantation
• Minxiong Haunted House
• Tag Along 1; Tag Along 2

Taboos

Turning your head

Ghosts have yin energy (陰 yīn, from 陰陽 yīnyáng) and are attracted to yang energy – which we have. It is thought that we, the living, have a yang flame on each shoulder and head. When someone pats you on the shoulder or head and you turn to look, you are essentially snuffing out each flame, making you more penetrable to ghosts.

Movies you’ll see this in:

• The Bridge Curse

Saying someone’s full name

Saying someone’s full name out loud in the mountains and/or at night is an action that could cause deep mistrust in you. Stating someone’s full name identifies them to ghosts, making it easier for them to follow that person home.

To avoid this, it’s recommended to use nicknames or, at the very least, just don’t say the person’s last name.

Movies you’ll see this in:

• The Bridge Curse
• Tag Along 1; Tag Along 2

Whistling

Not only is it perceived as a taboo for Ghost Month, whistling is also considered as bad luck by the Taiwanese. This is because, supposedly, whistling attracts ghosts. National Kaohsiung First University has a pretty good (and short!) article discussing whistling in Taiwan, for those wanting to practice their Chinese.

Movies you’ll see this in:

• Minxiong Haunted House

Specific Ghost Stories

1. Tag Along

Although the movie Tag Along specifically addresses the urban legend about a Little Girl in Red following people, there are other Taiwanese legends that link with people disappearing into the woods. The most notable of these, and recently most frequently blamed, is the ‘Devil Boy’.

Below are two real stories (backed up with actual news reports) of people attributing their disappearance to this evil.

Story 1: Policeman missing for 11 hours (2018)

In 2018, a policeman went missing for 11 hours, after CCTV footage showed him abandoning his car alongside a motorway. When he was found, he apparently surprisingly exclaimed that he thought he was sleeping in his bed at home, and blamed his disappearance on the Devil Boy.

Story 2: Policeman missing for 7 days (2020)

In 2020, another policeman (from the criminal investigation department) went missing for 7 days. He reported hearing search and rescue helicopters, firecrackers, and drums, but couldn’t seem to escape the forest. He described the experience as being forcibly isolated from those trying to find him.

Are these stories actually true though?

From a western perspective, it is easy to suggest that the men experienced hallucinations or something of the sort. From a Taiwanese perspective though, people genuinely believe these missing cases were abductions.

Numerology teacher Xie Yuanjin describes their experiences as being a kind of deep hypnosis performed by the devil. To break the hypnosis, one should be woken up. If that doesn’t work, a friend should light incense and, using a piece of clothing belonging to the missing person, should tell the person’s soul a location to come back to.

You should remember this when watching Tag Along – it’ll come in handy when things start going sideways.

Another thing to be aware of, that is linked with Tag Along and these stories, is what happens when missing people come back. In many instances – too many to be a coincidence – the missing person who comes back will develop a craving for bugs and snails. This too should be kept in mind Tag Along.

2. The Rope Curse

Exorcisms

Something that’s fairly common in Taiwan is exorcisms. No, these don’t look like the priest chanting Latin to fight back a demon, although change the attire and religion and it’s fairly similar.

Taiwanese exorcisms, however, can be a huge affair, with many people, plenty of planning, and lots of decorations. News channel CBC has a short documentary about them, if you want to test your Chinese (there’s no English subtitles available).

Although movies represent these traditions in an obviously exaggerated fashion, it’s worth checking out the video for an idea of what to expect for The Rope Curse. That wasn’t a spoiler, we promise. 

Minxiong Haunted House

Rumored Suicide of a Servant Girl

Built in 1929, Minxiong Haunted House was originally a family home for the prosperous Liu family (changed to He for the movie). Rumor has it that the patriarch of the family fell in love with a servant girl. The lady of the house, upon finding out, made it her mission to torture and torment the girl, ultimately leading her to commit suicide in the family’s well.

It is said that the Liu family soon after moved out as a result of the dead girl’s vengeful spirit haunting the house. This is the original rumor credited for creating the ‘haunted’ part of Minxiong Haunted House.

Real Story of Taoist Priest Raping Female Student

In 2016, a man claiming to be a Taoist priest sexually assualted and attempted to rape a female student, after falsely claiming that it would prevent her being haunted. The man intimidated the student’s grandmother into encouraging such despicable behaviour by falsely stating that her granddaughter’s birthday horoscope (辰八字) was the same time as the suicide of the servant girl in Minxiong Haunted House.

The man was later sentenced to 4 years and 6 months imprisonment, while the grandmother was sentenced to 1 year for helping him (although both have been released by now).

Did we leave something out? Let us know in the comments!