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Horror film

The Medium (2021): Cast, Ratings, Box Office & Where to Watch

The Medium (2021) movie poster

The Medium is a 2021 horror film directed by Banjong Pisanthanakun, starring Sawanee Utoomma as Nim, Sirani Yankittikan and Yasaka Chaisorn. It runs 2 hours 10 minutes and earned $9 million worldwide. Critics gave it 80% on Rotten Tomatoes, and IMDb users rate it 6.5/10. Stream it on AMC Plus and AMC+, or rent or buy it on Amazon Video and Apple TV Store.

IMDb rating
6.5/10
Rotten Tomatoes
80%
worldwide gross
$9M
Echo Score
74
The Medium (2021) movie poster
Released
Runtime
2h 10m (130 min)
Genre
Horror
Original language
Thai
Studio
Shudder
After the credits
No No extra scene
The story

What Is The Medium About?

The premise of The Medium without spoilers. The whole story and the ending explained are in the plot summary further down.

Deep within Thailand, a family’s connection to shamanic traditions stirs an ancient and unsettling power. As a mysterious force begins to haunt them, the distinction between divine grace and demonic influence becomes dangerously unclear. They must confront the possibility that their inherited legacy holds a dark and malevolent secret, threatening to consume them all.

The Medium Themes & Keywords

· 50 tags
  • asian horror
  • sex scene
  • shaman
  • female shaman
  • shamanism
  • evil possession
  • incest
  • mother daughter relationship
  • female topless nudity
  • promiscuous woman
  • curse
  • sister sister relationship
+38 more
  • christmas
  • brother sister relationship
  • teenager
  • small town
  • reference to doraemon
  • police
  • found footage
  • female nudity
  • family relationships
  • sleeping on a couch
  • breast fondling
  • possessed woman
  • man touches a woman's bare breast
  • bloodline
  • stepbrother and stepsister fall for each other
  • dog meat
  • cave
  • childlike behavior
  • sexy santa costume
  • woman slaps a woman
  • religious ritual
  • seamstress
  • bloody clothes
  • nightclub
  • woman forces a man to fondle her breasts
  • woman exposes her breasts
  • fired from a job
  • thailand
  • spiritualism
  • drunk daughter
  • funeral
  • searching a room
  • cruelty to children
  • woman wears a miniskirt
  • abdominal pain
  • cremation
  • goddess
  • egg
Where to watch

Where to Watch The Medium

Stream it on AMC Plus and AMC+, or rent or buy it from Amazon Video and Apple TV Store. US availability and prices from JustWatch.

Streaming availability in the US, powered by JustWatch logo

Cast & crew

The Medium Cast & Characters

Sawanee Utoomma leads the cast as Nim, with Sirani Yankittikan as Noi and Yasaka Chaisorn as Manit. Directed by Banjong Pisanthanakun; 10 actors are credited in all.

Ratings

The Medium Reviews & Ratings

Critics gave The Medium 80% on Rotten Tomatoes, and IMDb users rate it 6.5/10. Our Echo Score gives it 74/100, strongest in sensory experience (80) and weakest in story & flow (60).

74 /100

The Medium Echo Score Breakdown

The Medium delivers a mixed but generally engaging horror experience that leans on its cultural specificity and atmospheric execution. Critics commend its inventive camera work and unsettling visual moments, while audiences note the excessive runtime and uneven pacing that dilute the tension. The film’s strengths in mood and occasional scares offset its narrative bloat, resulting in a modestly positive impression.

Our own 0–100 rating, built from five aspects: art, character, story, the sensory experience and how well a film rewatches.

  • Art & Craft 70

    In terms of direction and visual craftsmanship, the film showcases inventive camera techniques that heighten the documentary feel and amplify the eerie atmosphere. Reviewers highlight the rich cinematography and purposeful production design that convey Thai folklore effectively. However, the pacing drag and occasional over‑editing are cited as drawbacks, leading to a solid but not flawless artistic execution.

  • Character & Emotion 75

    When assessing character and emotional depth, the ensemble cast is frequently praised for delivering nuanced, credible performances that ground the supernatural premise. Specific commendation is given to the lead’s compelling portrayal, enhancing audience immersion. Conversely, some critics note implausible character choices and uneven acting in supporting roles, which modestly detract from the overall emotional resonance.

  • Story & Flow 60

    Regarding plot and narrative flow, the story intertwines local shamanic folklore with a found‑footage structure that initially intrigues viewers. The gradual build‑up is praised for its measured pacing, yet many reviewers criticize the extended runtime and repetitive sequences that stall momentum. Originality is acknowledged in cultural context, but reliance on familiar horror tropes limits overall narrative impact.

  • Sensory Experience 80

    The sensory experience stands out through a richly textured soundtrack and meticulous sound design that reinforce the film’s oppressive mood. Visuals—particularly forest scenes and ceremonial artifacts—are described as striking and atmospheric, contributing to an immersive cultural tableau. While the overall audio‑visual palette garners praise, occasional tonal inconsistencies are noted, though they do not substantially diminish the sensory impact.

  • Rewatch Factor 70

    The rewatch factor is bolstered by the film’s cultural depth and lingering visual motifs that invite repeated viewings. Viewers who appreciate slow‑burn horror cite the escalating tension and climactic finale as rewarding on subsequent watches. Nonetheless, the elongated middle section and predictable jump‑scares deter some from returning, resulting in a moderate yet appealing rewatch potential.

Plot

The Medium Plot Summary & Ending Explained

What happens in The Medium from start to finish, spoilers included, with a timeline of 13 key events and the ending explained. The opening is below; the full summary is a 4-minute read.

Spoilers ahead

Nim [Sawanee Utoomma] is a local medium who claims that Ba Yan, a traditional deity of the Isan region, occasionally takes control of her body. A documentary crew travels to northeast Thailand to interview her, hoping to understand the beliefs that bind Nim to this ritual identity. Nim explains that she was chosen to be Ba Yan’s host after her sister Noi [Sirani Yankittikan] refused the role and chose Christianity instead, an act that set Nim on a solitary path within her family and community. The film opens with Nim attending the funeral of Noi’s husband, Wiroj, who dies after a battle with cancer, and it quietly layers in the larger pattern of misfortune that seems to haunt the men in their lineage.

Full summary

The whole story of The Medium, scene by scene, with the ending explained

Read the full summary
Box office

The Medium Box Office

The Medium grossed $9 million worldwide.

2021 box office

Worldwide gross

$9M

International
$9M
Videos

The Medium Trailers & Videos

4 videos: 4 trailers.

'ร่างทรง' THE MEDIUM (RANG ZONG) | 1st Korean Trailer
  • Trailer 'ร่างทรง' THE MEDIUM (RANG ZONG) | 2nd Korean Trailer
  • Trailer THE MEDIUM | Trailer — Sneaks 6 - 9 August, In Cinemas 12 August
  • Trailer The Medium - Official Trailer [HD] | A Shudder Exclusive
Quiz

How Well Do You Know The Medium?

10 questions about the story, each with a hint if you get stuck. Pick an answer to see whether you were right.

Question 1 of 10

  1. Question 1: not answered
  2. Question 2: not answered
  3. Question 3: not answered
  4. Question 4: not answered
  5. Question 5: not answered
  6. Question 6: not answered
  7. Question 7: not answered
  8. Question 8: not answered
  9. Question 9: not answered
  10. Question 10: not answered

Who is the local medium who claims to host the deity Ba Yan?

Details

The Medium Also Known As

14 alternative titles, including “랑종” and “RANG ZONG”.

Also known as
  • 랑종
  • RANG ZONG
  • Rangjong
  • Rang Jong
  • 女神の継承
  • 凶靈祭
  • The Médium
  • Паранормальные явления. Медиум
  • 薩滿
  • Medyum
  • 灵媒
  • La médium
+2 more
  • Âm Hồn Nhập Xác
  • A Médium

Seen The Medium?

FAQ

The Medium FAQ: Where to Watch, Cast & Box Office

Runtime, release date, director, cast, where to watch, box office, ratings and post-credit scenes of The Medium, each answered in a sentence.

How long is The Medium?

The Medium runs 2 hours 10 minutes (130 minutes).

When was The Medium released?

The Medium was released on October 14, 2021.

Who directed The Medium?

The Medium was directed by Banjong Pisanthanakun.

More films by Banjong Pisanthanakun

Who is in the cast of The Medium?

The Medium stars Sawanee Utoomma as Nim, Sirani Yankittikan as Noi and Yasaka Chaisorn as Manit, among 10 credited actors.

Where can I watch The Medium?

In the US, The Medium is streaming on AMC Plus, AMC+ and Hoopla and available to rent or buy on Amazon Video, Apple TV Store and Fandango At Home (availability from JustWatch).

How much did The Medium make at the box office?

The Medium grossed $9 million worldwide.

How is The Medium rated?

The Medium has 6.5/10 on IMDb, 80% on Rotten Tomatoes, 70% on TMDB and 3.4/5 on Letterboxd.

Does The Medium have a post-credit scene?

No. The Medium has no extra scene during or after the credits.

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