Watch Folklore

Folklore is a horror anthology series created by HBO Asia in collaboration with various Asian countries such as Indonesia, Japan, Korea, Malaysia, Philippines, Singapore and Thailand. The series features six episodes, each based on a different folk tale from one of the participating nations, and has brought together some very talented directors and actors.

The series features a diverse set of Asian cultures, each with its own unique storytelling traditions. The tales delve into the supernatural and mythical, exploring the ghosts, spirits, and creatures that populate the region's folklore, often woven into the fabric of everyday life. They're steeped in tradition and history and reflect the way people live, love, and fear in places where the boundaries between the living and the dead can be thin.

The first episode, A Mother's Love, is set in Indonesia and directed by Joko Anwar. It follows a mother who is willing to do anything to give her son a better life, even if it requires supernatural intervention. This episode is haunting and intense, full of suspense and unpredictable twists.

The second episode is called Tatami and is set in Japan. Directed by Takumi Saitoh, it tells the story of a family that is haunted by their past after moving into a new house. Tatami is a good example of a traditional Japanese ghost story that acquaints you with the Japanese's strong belief in the supernatural and their customs to rid themselves of evil spirits.

In The Road, the third episode, a group of friends on a road trip in Malaysia take an unexpected detour and find themselves stranded in the middle of nowhere. Directed by Pen-Ek Ratanaruang, this story is eerie and eerie, perfectly capturing the atmosphere of fear and confusion.

Mongdal, the fourth episode, is set in Korea and directed by Lee Sang-woo. Mongdal tells the story of a childless couple who adopt a young girl, only to find that she may not be what she appears to be. This episode is dark and twisty, full of elements of Korean horror such as the "gumiho" and "baksu" legends.

The fifth episode is called Pob and is set in Thailand. Directed by Piyapan Choo-utha, it follows a sickly girl who visits a seaside resort with her family and comes across a spirit called "Pob". The episode is shot beautifully, creating a serene atmosphere against the violent and spooky actions that happen in the background.

The last episode, titled Nobody and directed by Eric Khoo, is set in Singapore. It's about a family that becomes strangely obsessed with a new woman in their building who has a dark past. Nobody reveals how the fear of losing control can drive people to do unimaginable things.

Overall, Folklore is a tremendously successful horror anthology series. Each episode is carefully crafted with stunning atmosphere, brilliant storytelling and incredible performances by the ensemble cast. The series manages to tackle subjects that are familiar to Asian cultures but are often left untouched in other horror series. With its unique mix of horror and folklore, Folklore is a must-watch for fans of the genre.

Folklore is a series that is currently running and has 2 seasons (13 episodes). The series first aired on February 1, 2019.