When Women Haunt Back: Embodying the Monstrous in Thai Horror Cinema’s The Medium
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Abstract
This article examines the film The Medium (2021, dir. Banjong Pisanthanakun) focusing on how it adapts and challenges Western psychoanalytic concepts, specifically Julia Kristeva's abjection, Barbara Creed’s monstrous-feminine, and Jacques Lacan's fragmented body, when applied within the context of Isan cosmology and spirit medium rituals in Thailand. Utilizing a qualitative research methodology based on close textual analysis and a review of academic literature on Isan folklore and psychoanalytic theory, this study aims to reveal the unique value of Thai cinema in harmoniously blending local culture with universal cinematic discourse.
The findings show that The Medium excels at balancing entertainment with cultural preservation by 1) Reinterpreting Abjection as a cultural anxiety over bodily purity and contamination linked to karma and hostile spirits in Isan belief, distinct from purely Western psychological concerns; 2) The Monstrous-Feminine is reframed to embody female spiritual agency, an uncontrolled power that challenges traditional gender roles and patriarchal family structures in Isan society and; 3) The application of a feminist perspective creates a universal theme, transcending cultural boundaries by centring the narrative on the emotional and physical oppression of its female characters, making the film accessible to international audiences.
The Medium, therefore, demonstrates significant value in promoting Isan cosmology and Thai identity on a global stage, positioning it as vital cultural Soft Power. This analysis proves that culturally rooted horror cinema, when studied rigorously, can function as creative and constructive media. It directly fosters critical media literacy and audience reflection on complex social and gender issues, thus contributing significantly to the development of a safe and creative media ecosystem.
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