Invitation Only (Jue ming pai dui) is a 2009 Taiwanese extreme horror, written by Sung In and Carolyn Lin and directed by Kevin Ko as his first feature-length film. Kevin is best known as the director behind the recent hit supernatural found footage horror Incantation (2022), whereas Carolyn and Sung only have this work in their previous history.
Wade, an overworked junior at an unnamed corporation, is gifted an invitation to a high-class party for the country’s elite by the company president, Mr. Yang, who is unable to attend himself; the only condition is that Wade must attend the soiree posing as Yang’s cousin. However, unbeknownst to Wade and four others who are not who they claim to be, not all is as it seems at this distinguished event. The party is just a cover for the evening’s main attraction—a gruesome, live torture show held for its distinguished guests.
Due to the film’s graphic nature, Invitation Only is inevitably alluded to as heavily influenced by Eli Roth’s Hostel (2005). Admittingly, this may be slightly true, however, the two films have solid differences between them story-wise, only seeming to share a solid fixation on unflinching torture, to which Invitation Only’s display is arguably more impressive. Instead, the film’s story is closer to the French horror comedy Vampire Party (2008), as a group of 5 individuals finds themselves invited to the night of their lives; only to find out that they themselves are the main event—and then the murder begins. Yet this film lacks the comedic overtones of its french counterpart, undoubtedly, a wise choice for this story.
Unfortunately, the film’s setting of a banquet fit for the country’s rich and powerful ultimately fails to live up to the imagination. The glitz and glamour of such a night are poorly represented by a soundstage with coloured lighting and a few dozen elegantly dressed extras strewn around to populate the area. Even though it could be argued that the voyeuristic activity of extreme sadism and murder are hardly acts that can be displayed in a swanky, luxury establishment, this visually devoid setting feels more akin to a teenage goth nightclub than an example of extreme affluence.
Nevertheless, the main attraction of films labeled ‘torture porn’ is undoubtedly in their display of visual effects, the area that Invitation Only truly shines. The visceral visuals handled by the legendary Jack Ho, responsible for visual effects in such classics as Shaolin Soccer (2001), Kung Fu Hustle (2004), and Flying Swords of Dragon Gate (2011); this film is certainly one of the more brutal works Jack has worked on. Unwavering scenes of dismemberment, genital electrocution, and general-purpose torture are thrown at the viewer in all their visual glory. The brutality unfolds at a surprisingly sporadic pace throughout the film’s second and third acts, while retaining a sense of story progression that similar films abandon around this point.
Despite a somewhat stilted performance from the majority of the cast in the first act, a few stand-out renditions blossom forth in the following acts, with main stars Ray Chen and Juliette Chu delivering generally competent acting overall. Additionally, a minuscule role held by Japanese adult film star Maria Ozawa gives a decent performance as Dana. However, her part is a glorified cameo rather than an actual role similar to, say, Erotibot (2011) or Nilalang (2015). In spite of this, Maira does what she can with the minor inclusion, including an arguably tasteful sex scene.
Full of gruesome acts of unembellished torment, Invitation Only will certainly be a change of pace for those finding the film through Incantation, with its depiction of extreme violence and quicker pace strikingly different from the director’s latest film. However, if you are looking for some thrilling, story-driven gore, Invitation Only may just be the ticket you have been waiting for.
Invitation Only is available to purchase from Unearthed Films
More from the purveyors of Extreme Cinema
Celebrating Japanese cult cinema, the Japan Film Fest Hamburg is gearing up for its 2021 season running from August 18th to September 1st. What has got us so excited for… The Transparent Woman is a 2015 Italian Giallo mystery, written and directed by Domiziano Christpharo. No stranger to Italian exploitation cinema, Domiziano Christpharo is known for his long list of… As an aficionado of the dark side of cinema, I am constantly seeking out new films. While on my journey I come across lists featuring the worlds most extreme and… La Petite Mort II: Nasty Tapes is a 2014 splatter horror film, written and directed by Marcel Walz with additional writing from Annika Strauss. The film is a continuation of… The Abandoned is a 2006 horror thriller, written and directed by Nacho Cerdá with additional writing from Karim Hussain and Richard Stanley. Mostly known as a director of shorts and… Bloody Sin is a 2011 English-language Italian extreme horror film, written and directed by Domiziano Cristopharo, with additional writing from Jay Disney and Filippo Santaniello. Being particularly well-known in the…
Japan Film Fest Hamburg 2021 – Embracing The Underground
The Transparent Woman (2015) Film Review – Modern Day Giallo
10 Extreme & Disturbing Films You Probably Have Not Seen
La Petite Mort II: Nasty Tapes (2014) Film Review – Return to Maison de la Petite Mort
The Abandoned (2006) Film Review – Abandon All Hope
Bloody Sin (2011) Film Review – A Perfervid Love Letter to Exploitation
Hey there, I’m Jim and I’m located in London, UK. I am a Writer and Managing Director here at Grimoire of Horror. A lifelong love of horror and writing has led me down this rabbit hole, allowing me to meet many amazing people and experience some truly original artwork. I specialise in world cinema, manga/graphic novels, and video games but will sometime traverse into the unknown in search of adventure.