Rule #1 is a 2008 Singaporean supernatural horror thriller directed by Kelvin Tong, director of The Maid and Eating Air. Starring Ekin Cheng, Shawn Yue and Fiona Xie, it is a well-executed, exciting and scary movie that really had me covering my ears and gripping my seat tightly with my elbows- ultimately wishing for more.

To avoid spoilers, a short synopsis. Ekin Cheng plays Inspector Wong, head of the Miscellaneous Affairs Department which handles supernatural cases. He trains the newcomer to the Department, Sergeant Lee, played by Shawn Yue, by constantly reminding him with his mantra- the titular Rule #1: there are no ghosts- only to have it be contradicted later on in the movie.
The story is a ghost story, but what makes it unique is that is fresh and original. Given a Singaporean twist by it’s Singaporean director, the film changed some of the rules of horror films by even adding a plot twist at the end, which brought the whole film around, completing the circle.The actors were superb. Both Ekin Cheng and Shawn Yue played their roles with great emotion and ability. One could really feel the actors being absorbed into their characters.

The movie really plays well with the conventions of horror movies, using jarring sounds and darkness to bring to life (ironically) the ghosts depicted in the movie. The sounds, ambience and music definitely added to the eeriness of the movie, as there would be a sudden high pitched sound or a loud bang when a ghost appeared, or the music would suddenly dip in volume and tempo when something bad was about to happen. It used its sounds very effectively, since they scared a large portion of the audience in the preview theatre and I when the movie was screening.

The movie also plays very well with lighting, such as showing dimly lit corridors and tastefully illuminated sense where supernatural occurrences were happening. The aesthetic effect of the lighting was really felt throughout the audience and really made me feel scared, but so impressed at how brilliantly the lights complimented the music and the sounds.
I would strongly recommend this movie to all my friends and to horror movie fans, even if you are not a horror movie fan (Like me. I simply watched it because it’s a local film) you should still watch it, and be surprised and awed (like I was). I give this movie 4 and a half stars out of five.

Reviewed by Simon Lew