Body (2007 film)

Lore & Background

The plot follows Chon, an engineering student living in a rented house in Bangkok with his sister Aye. Chon experiences disturbing dreams of a dismembered ghostly woman, a misshapen black cat, and a fetus. He is referred to psychiatrist Dr. Usa, who discovers connections between Chon, herself, and her distant husband Dr. Suthee. Usa's investigation reveals a link between Suthee and a university lecturer, Dr. Dararai, who possesses supernatural hypnosis abilities. Chon is drawn to a hidden room where he sees a man chopping a body—the man's face is his own. Dararai's ghost communicates with Chon, asking him to find her. Those who speak of Dararai's disappearance are killed. Chon discovers burnt photos of Dararai and Suthee in an intimate relationship, revealing that Suthee killed Dararai to prevent blackmail. The climax reveals that Chon is actually dead, and Suthee, suffering from multiple personality disorder, believes he is Chon. Suthee is arrested but escapes, only to be impaled by metal poles from a van. In the final scene, Dararai's ghost appears to Suthee in the operating room, forgives him, and wakes him mid-surgery, leaving him screaming.

Reader's Guide

Body is significant as a Thai psychological horror film that blends supernatural elements with a real-life crime. The film's narrative, involving multiple personality disorder, hypnosis, and ghostly revenge, was directly inspired by the case of Dr. Wisut Boonkasemsanti, a gynaecologist convicted of dismembering his wife. The film's production company's official synopsis explicitly references this case, noting the gruesome details of the real murder. The film's cast includes Arak Amornsupasiri, guitarist of the Thai rock band Slur, playing the protagonist Chon. The film's legacy lies in its exploration of mental illness, supernatural manipulation, and the consequences of a real-life crime, offering a fictionalized account that mirrors the horror of the actual events. The soundtrack features the song 'Kid tung teo took tee ti yoo kon deaw' ('I Miss You Every Time I Am Alone') by Pat Suthasini Puttinan, originally performed by Jennifer Kim.

Did You Know?

• The film's title literally translates to 'corpse number 19'.
• Lead actor Arak Amornsupasiri is the guitarist in the Thai rock band Slur.
• The film parallels the real case of Dr. Wisut Boonkasemsanti, a gynaecologist sentenced to death for dismembering his wife.
• The plot involves a character with multiple personality disorder induced by hypnosis.