The Tag-Along (2015) (DVD) (English Subtitled) (Hong Kong Version) DVD Region 3

Huang He (Meeting Dr Sun) plays Wei, a much put-upon estate agent trying to balance the long hours of his job with caring for his grandmother, while attempting to keep his long-term girlfriend Yi Chun (Tiffany Hsu, Dream Flight) happy. Already troubled by the fact that Yi Chun repeatedly refuses to get married or properly commit to their relationship, Wei's life is thrown into disarray when his grandmother disappears. Driven by guilt he begins to investigate, coming to believe that she, like other elderly people in the area, may have been snatched by an evil mosien spirit from the mountains. Unfortunately Wei ends up being taken himself, leaving it up to Yi Chun to save him while confronting her own fears and dark past.

For many The Tag-Along and its plot will sound familiar, and Cheng Wei Hao certainly draws heavily from a number of classic modern Southeast Asian horror films, the likes of Ring and Dark Water in particular, which it resembles in both look and feel. The red-clad child also recalls Don't Look Now, and as a result the film does, at first glance at least, come across as rather generic, and its mix of jump scares and slow-burn atmosphere don't really bring anything new to the table. Still, Cheng's direction is confident and well-measured for a first-timer, and though most of the frights are lacking in imagination, as well as being let down by some poor CGI effects, there's enough here to make for some solid spooky fun.

Where the film does standout somewhat is through some surprisingly strong character writing, with both Wei and Yi Chun being well-rounded and believable figures, flawed, though basically sympathetic. There's a pleasing psychological depth to the script, playing upon guilt, fear, loss and loneliness, and the relationship between the two, and between Wei and his grandmother, holds the interest, making for some emotional, if depressing moments. This helps distract from the film's lack of originality in other areas, and the narrative shift in focus from Wei to Yi Chun is skilfully handled for maximum impact, her gradual realisation of what he means to her carrying a real punch.

Its adherence to tried and tested genre motifs aside, the film does have some interesting themes, venturing into eco-horror territory in its suggestion that the demonic mosien have been disturbed by humans encroaching on their territory. There's a strong sense of Taiwanese culture to the film, which also helps give it a slightly different flavour, and though the legend of the mosien will likely mean little to viewers not from the island, it works well in the context. Cheng also makes very good use of the local scenery, the forests and mountains being a sinister and ominous setting, and visually the film impresses, managing to generate a fair amount of gloomy and creepy atmosphere as it builds towards a satisfying ending.

Though ultimately too conventional to really excite, The Tag-Along is nevertheless a perfectly acceptable example of the contemporary Southeast Asian ghost film, and a fine debut for Cheng Wei Hao. With few films of its type being produced in Taiwan, it's easy to see why the film found such a large audience at home, and while it might struggle to have the same impact overseas, it should be enjoyed by genre fans, and anyone not yet tired of its brand of chills.

by James Mudge - EasternKicks.com