“4bia”: A Quartet of Thai Terror

“4bia,” also known as “Deadly Crossing,” is a Thai horror anthology film that has garnered a respectable 7.4 rating on Douban and ranks among the top 10 Thai horror flicks. This movie is structured as four distinct short stories, making it an easily digestible and entertaining watch.

Segment 1: “The Knock”

This segment follows a girl recuperating at home with a leg cast after a car accident. Bored, she strikes up a conversation with a stranger online. When she tries to call him, the number is always unreachable. They exchange photos, and the man claims he’s in the picture she sent… He had previously mentioned that today was his 100th day. Curious, the girl researches what this means and discovers that on the 100th day after death, family members place a phone in the coffin to prevent the deceased from feeling homesick or lonely.

Segment 2: “Tit for Tat”

The second story revolves around a student who reports his classmates for smoking, leading to him being bullied. Consumed by resentment, he resorts to black magic (a “curse”) against those who tormented him. However, the curse takes a dark turn, leaving no one unscathed, including himself.

Segment 3: “In the Middle”

Four friends embark on a camping trip. While huddled in their tent, they begin sharing ghost stories. One of them, Ai, jokingly declares that if he dies, he will return to haunt whoever sleeps in the middle. Fate takes a cruel turn when Ai falls into the water during a boat ride and is presumed dead. As the remaining three try to sleep, the chilling prospect of sleeping in the middle becomes a terrifying dilemma. In the dead of night, Ai returns. But is he a ghost or something else entirely?

Personal Thoughts

This is my absolute favorite segment! It masterfully blends humor with genuine horror, creating a light yet suspenseful atmosphere. The pacing is perfect, and the plot twist is brilliant. This particular story is the reason why this movie has stuck with me for so long!

Segment 4: “Last Flight”

The final story features a flight attendant assigned to a private flight catering exclusively to a princess whose husband has been unfaithful. Coincidentally, both the flight attendant and the princess wear the same sapphire ring. Upon noticing this, the flight attendant tries to remove the ring, but it’s stuck fast. The princess subjects her to all sorts of mistreatment during the flight. However, after landing, the flight attendant sees a news report about the princess’s death. She is then tasked with transporting the princess’s body back home… What eerie events will unfold during this final journey?

Final Verdict

I found the third and fourth stories particularly captivating. If you’re a fan of horror movies, this is definitely one you shouldn’t miss!