The Damned Ones is a micro-budgeted full-length feature produced, directed and written by Singapore’s Reena Deen (Zareena Nazimudeen).
In this unique film, ancient superstition collides with modern Singaporean society as a partially blind student, Siti (Amanda Yip), goes missing, and her classmate, Laura (Jade Ow), who is hard of hearing, reports a bizarre tale to the police.
Laura blames an infamous myth, known as Dempsey’s Village of the Damned, for Siti’s disappearance. This is loosely based on two Singaporean urban legends. One is the story of the cursed Istana (Palace) of Dempsey, also known as Istana Woodneuk. The other is the belief that you’ll get lost in the forests & become trapped if you attract the attention of the spirits.
Obviously, the police aren’t buying a bit of this.
Adding to the involving plot is that Laura and her missing friend have an unresolved conflict, and she is caught in a web of lies by the police. Is she sincerely trying to help find Siti, or did she murder her?
Flashbacks to disappearances in the Village are effectively and creepily done. There’s a sense of foreboding that works extremely well that many films on a far bigger budget can’t match. The music score is particularly powerful and drives the well-crafted film. While a few scenes could have benefited from some trimming, as some of the conversations ran a bit too long, the film is ultimately compelling.
The Damned Ones reminded me to some degree of The Blair Witch Project.
As it unfolds, the viewer is drawn into the story and needs to discover Siti’s fate.
The Damned Ones is inspiring in that all disabled characters in the story were played by actors with disabilities.
The backstory of the movie itself is also worth noting. Deen, who has CPTSD (Complex Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder) & Dyslexia, states, “It’s tough to break into the film industry if you’re a minority or you have a disability. I decided that instead of waiting for someone to give me a chance to write a script, direct a film, or even act, I would rather create my own opportunities. I gathered others who are like me, who might be struggling to break into the film industry for various reasons, and decided to make this film. I wanted to make a film with PWDs (People With Disabilities) playing disabled characters for an honest and authentic portrayal. I also didn’t want the story to center around their disabilities. In this film, the characters are just regular folks. Their disability isn’t a superpower or a gift that can magically save the day. And their whole life and personality are not about being disabled.”
Deen goes on to say that “Not all cast & crew are comfortable disclosing their disabilities. Unfortunately, in Singapore, disability still carries a lot of stigma.”
Which is even more reason to support her and The Damned Ones.
And bravo to a film that works exceedingly well despite its minuscule budget. The Damned Ones is an impressive feature debut and a heartfelt and engaging piece.
Kudos to all involved.
For more on The Damned Ones visit:
https://thedamnedones.net
Website: https://www.reenadeen.com/
Film links: https://www.reenadeen.com/films
–Evan Ginzburg
Evan Ginzburg was an Associate Producer on the Oscar-nominated movie “The Wrestler” and the acclaimed wrestling documentary “350 Days” starring Bret Hart. He is a veteran of over 30 years in film, radio, and TV, as well as an Executive Producer on the documentary Wrestling-Then & Now, starring Killer Kowalski.
He is the Senior Editor for Pro Wrestling Stories and has been a contributing writer since 2017. He’s a published author, with his latest book, “Wrestling Rings, Blackboards, and Movie Sets,” released on January 7th, 2025.
www.evanginzburg.com
https://www.facebook.com/FromtheArtHousetotheGrindhouse
The Damned Ones- Movie Review
