Original subtitles

( CRICKETS CHIRPING )

( DOOR SQUEAKS )

( MUSIC PLAYING )

You're really childish. Still telling ghost stories at this age?

I've heard that telling ghost stories

during the lunar seventh month will attract spirits.

Then you're doomed.

You'll be the first target since you're so fat.

That's not funny.

Do you guys know the reason

why "23:59" is used frequently in the army?

Because midnight is the most evil part of the night.

If someone dies at 23:59 hours,

his soul will not rest in peace

and will return to the mortal world.

And do you know that in this very bunk,

a recruit actually committed suicide at 23:59 hours?

This bunk? Are you sure?

Three years ago, in this very bunk,

there was a very effeminate recruit called Lye.

(COUGHS)

Damn! What is this sissy doing in our camp?

Haven't you any shame?

If you get us in trouble again with the sergeant, you'll be dead.

Do you hear me?

You are shameless.

Let's go!

( CREAKING )

Are you sure it happened in this bunk?

You think I would joke about this?

You must be a real idiot

to believe what he just said.

You see this idiot?

His face is paler than my ass!

Hey. Are you okay?

Just feeling a little ill.

Just admit that you are a coward and stop acting sick.

Hey, Dragon, that's enough.

Don't listen if you're a coward!

Do you know that a "Kuntilanak" still exists on this island?

When a pregnant woman commits suicide, it is believed

that her spirit will return to our world as a "Kuntilanak."

An extremely vicious and evil spirit.

Whatever happens, don't remove your hand...

or the spirit will not return to its own world.

May I ask, are you in this room now?

(THUNDER RUMBLING )

( MUFFLED LAUGH )

Can you tell me if you are in this room now?

YES

Don't let go!

(WOMAN CRYING )

Could you please leave?

NO

Shit!

Shit!

( DOOR CREAKING )

( SPLASHING FOOTSTEPS )

(WHIMPERING )

(THUNDER RUMBLING )

( RASPY BREATHING )

( THUNDER CRASHING )

( GASPS )

What did they see?

It was so horrifying, I wouldn't dare talk about it.

I heard it entered the body of a pregnant woman

and possessed her unborn daughter.

And every night at 23:59 hours,

this girl will...

( SHOUTS )

Damn you! What's wrong with you?

Got a problem? Bring it on!

Do you really think you're a gangster? Grow up, man!

Do you think being a platoon leader or an army scholar makes you great?

Calm down, guys. It was just an accident.

Accident?

How much trouble has he gotten us into?

He has sabotaged our platoon repeatedly!

Damn you.

- Are you okay? - Of course he's all right.

He's the king of malingerers. Scared of ghost stories?

Don't join the army. Just be a sissy boy.

( LAUGHTER)

Your mouth stinks. Can't you just shut up?

Stop it! Stop it!

You better go check on him. Go on.

Yes, your girlfriend's gone to the toilet.

Go help wipe her ass. What a coward.

Are you all right?

Yes.

You really need to get your act together.

Yes.

Look at you.

Since we were young, you've always agreed to whatever I said.

This is our last week here.

We can leave this island once we've finished the course.

- I'm really trying, but-- - Just trying is not enough.

I really saw something that night. it's--

There you go again. Stop talking about that night.

I can swear!

What is there to swear about?

It happened at midnight.

Just like what Dragon said. Now it's coming back for me!

Tan!

Wake up!

Everyone out there thinks that you are dead weight.

Do you really like that?

Then stop all the bullshit ghost stories.

Nobody believes them anyway.

They just think you're an idiot. Understand?

(WATER RUNNING )

( WATER STOPS )

Look-- just like this tap.

It's faulty.

Pure and simple.

But everyone would rather believe this toilet is haunted.

Right?

Wow, you two are lovey-dovey even in the toilet?

Don't let us interrupt. Please carry on!

Your mouth stinks like the toilet bowl. Go brush your teeth!

Your father's on the phone, asking you to drink your milk!

Go to the office now!

Let's go, or we'll die from the stench here!

Damn, he's such a coward.

( MUFFLED SHOUTING )

( MUFFLED SHOUTING )

( RATTLING )

( HISSING )

(WHIMPERING )

- She's here! - Who?

- She's here to kill me. - There's nobody.

You probably scratched yourself while struggling.

( LAUGHTER)

Who did this?

Own up now if you dare! Who did this?!

Take it easy. Can't you take a joke?

You think this is your grandfather's house?

That you can joke about anything?

Scum, you can scold me, but not my grandfather.

I would rather die if I were your grandfather.

What? You want to be a hero?

No.

I just can't stand people who don't brush their teeth.

- What?! - Come on!

Stop! I said stop!

Sergeant Kuah's coming. Room!

- What are you doing? - Nothing, Sergeant. It was just...

Are you boys feeling deprived? Fooling around with each other, are you?

Very good. A lot of energy.

Do you want to walk 30km tomorrow?

No, Sergeant!

Don't you guys ever learn?

I have already said this is the lunar seventh month.

All the spirits will be out for "food." Sleep early, don't be noisy.

Are you pretending not to understand?

No, Sergeant!

Can you stand properly or not?

Is your leg injured?

Do you think I'm too kind to punish you?

- No, Sergeant. - You?!

No, Sergeant.

Last warning.

No fighting, or neither of you pass.

Understand?

Yes, Sergeant!

- Cannot hear you! - Yes, Sergeant!

Switch off the lights. Sleep!

( MEN SHOUTING )

What is this? Are you putting on an act?

No, Sergeant!

Last week you did eleven pull-ups, today not even one.

Is your bottom swollen or too heavy?

Up!

Try again!

( BIRDS CAWING )

Sir, sir, sir, sir.

See?

I've got something important to show you.

What? What is this?

The date for the road march is extremely ominous!

So what are you suggesting? We cancel the road march?

Sir, not cancel, postpone.

But of course, cancelling it will be better.

Do you know what you are talking about?

How many years have you spent in this camp?

Don't you know the importance of the road march?

You think you can cancel it as you wish?

Sir, I am just worried about our recruits.

Are you worried about the recruits or you just want to skive?

Sir, don't put it that way.

Kuah.

How many more years do you want to be stuck in your position?

Huh?

Do you want to be a sergeant forever?

Make sure the recruits are ready for the road march.

Understand?

Understand?!

Yes, sir.

Fake Caucasian.

No need to make fun of me even if you don't believe me.

( BREATHING HEAVILY )

( STRAINING )

( GASPS )

Tan.

Tan?

What's wrong?

Nothing.

It's time for the road march.

I don't feel well.

Are you sick?

You're fine.

I have a bad feeling.

What bad feeling?

She's coming for me tonight.

Who?

I've told you before, it's that woman who--

Tan. Can you wise up, please?

I've told you many times, there's no woman.

Jeremy, I really saw something. You can ask Chester about it.

That's enough.

If you don't go through with this road march,

you can't pass this course.

You really want everyone to think you're a loser?

I'm not a loser.

That's not what they think.

Do you think so, too?

It's not important what I think.

I'm not a loser.

I know what I saw.

All right. What did you see?

It looked like a woman's body...

- but its face-- - Tan.

You didn't see anything.

How do you know?

Ghosts do not exist in this world.

How do you know that?

YOUNG JEREMY: How do you know that?

How do you know that?

I can tell. You have the third eye

that can communicate with the underworld.

JEREMY: But it was all a lie. I didn't have any third eye.

My father was just a con man,

cheating people of their hard-earned money.

( GASPING )

I miss you.

Your wife says she misses you.

HOCK: Uncle! Are you all right?

JEREMY: That old man died believing that his wife's spirit was inside me.

What about your dad?

To me, I don't even have a father.

You've never seen any ghosts?

Not even once.

Do you still want to go on the road march?

Let's go.

- Platoon! - Yes.

Hey, hey, he)!-

Never knew there was such a beautiful girl on this island.

You haven't seen her before?

She grew up on this island and sells food in our canteen.

She must have been your target, right?

That's nonsense.

( MEN WHISTLING )

KUAH: Stop whistling!

That's my girlfriend, okay?

Okay, platoon, listen up.

This is your last road march.

It is very important to everyone

and it's also very tough.

Anyone who's not feeling well better fall out.

Anyone?

Good.

This road march is no laughing matter.

While out in the jungle,

do not call your buddies' names unnecessarily.

I have some powerful talismans

from a very famous medium at a temple.

Pass it down.

Take one each and put it in your pocket.

It will ward off evil.

Don't be stubborn.

This is not a joke.

Believe me.

Okay, platoon, listen up.

Are you ready?

Yes, Sergeant!

- Are you ready? - Yes, Sergeant!

- So what are you waiting for? - Christmas, Sergeant!

"Chris," your head.

Whole lot, left turn.

Move out.

Left, left, left-right.

Left, left, left-right...

Training to be soldiers

Fight for our land

Once in our lives

Two years of our time

Have you ever wondered

Why must we serve

Because we love our land

And we want it to be free, to be free.

You okay?

I'm exhausted.

Let me help you carry something.

Wow, now we can bring maids to the army.

I should have asked my maid along to carry my field pack.

Dragon, would you shut up?

Why should I shut up? I'll speak as I please!

Why should I listen to you? Who are you to tell me what to do?

Is this your grandfather's camp?

But this really is his grandfather's camp.

His grandfather was the camp commander here.

What the hell? What's the point in telling me this?

Born with a silver spoon? Big deal!

- Hey. - What?

Looks like he can't continue.

This is what you call a sissy! Can't even endure some pain.

What the hell.

Auntie, it's late. You should go home.

Be careful.

Hey.

Where are Tan and Jeremy?

Both of you wait here for them. I'll look for Sergeant Kuah, all right?

What's his problem? Always being overzealous.

This is not being overzealous. This is called bootlicking.

It's a skill of the studious types.

I heard his father is a full colonel

and his older brother was awarded the Sword of Honor.

His whole family is very capable.

What's the point in telling me?

I'm not a busybody!

What's taking them so long?

Hope nothing happens to them.

What do you mean?

- What's the time now? - It's 11:00...

Was the story about "23:59" for real?

Do you think I would joke about such things?

Have you heard about this island's story?

What story?

DRAGON: On this island,

there was a very powerful medium

who could communicate with the dead.

Some even say she could control them.

( MOANING )

( SCREAMING )

She gave birth that very night.

But the baby was born deformed.

They say the spirit that she summoned

possessed her baby instead.

That is terrible.

That's not the worst part.

Do you know what the baby grew into?

Yes!

( WHEEZING )

Freak! Monster!

Get lost!

Go away!

What happened to her?

I don't know.

Some people said she died.

But her spirit is still on the island.

This island?

(WOMAN CRYING )

Did you hear that?

- Did you hear that? - Shh.

Namo Amitabha, Namo Amitabha...

What are you chanting? What are you chanting? Teach me.

Namo Amitabha!

Namo Amitabha, Namo Amitabha...

- What are you doing? -( BOTH GASP )

What the hell?!

Are you trying to scare the shit out of me?

- Where is Tan? - Wasn't he with you?

I thought he was with you guys.

Put on your helmet! Where is Tan?

- He's not with us. - Where was he last seen?

I think it was near the fourth checkpoint.

Fourth checkpoint? Was he carrying the talisman I gave him?

No.

Come on, let's go look for him.

Follow me.

( RASPY BREATHING )

( THUNDER CRASHES )

- Sergeant! - What is it?

Field pack.

Okay, recruits, listen up.

The four of you spread out and look for Tan.

Don't wander too far out.

We'll regroup here in five minutes. Come on, let's go.

Yes, Sergeant.

Shit!

Shit! Shit! I can't see anything!

Okay, recruits, listen up.

Find your buddy and put your left hand on his left shoulder.

Here...

Here.

Over here.

Okay, number off!

One.

Two.

Three.

Four

Five...

Five?

( SCREAMS )

What's going on? What's going on?

Get up. Get up. What's going on?

- I saw him, I saw him. - Who?

- Tan. - Tan?

Everybody, go find Tan!

Go, go! go go.

Tan.

( GASPS )

Sergeant!

Kuah - your report.

I don't understand what you're trying to tell me.

Sorry, sir, I know that my English is not good.

Yes. We all know that, but that's not the point.

Based on what you're writing,

someone "saw Tan standing behind him.

Ten seconds more, find his body near a tree."

- Is that right? - Yes, sir.

That night I had a feeling that something was out there.

- What "something"? - I don't know what,

but it was something like a ghost, a demon, or a spirit.

Or as the Hokkien people say, something "unholy."

Kuah, do you know what you're talking about?

Are you blaming Recruit Tan's accident

on the... supernatural?

I don't know what caused Tan's death.

But I'm sure his death was not an accident.

If it's not an accident, it's your fault!

- My fault? - Kuah,

your responsibility was to take care of the recruits' safety.

You didn't do a good job.

Do you know how hard it is to look into the parents' eyes

and to tell them that their son died in our care?

In our care!

Anyway, I did my best.

I even brought them talismans from a temple.

What other sergeant would do that?

Giving the recruits talismans won't keep them safe.

Making sure they're physically well, doing proper head counts,

making sure they have enough water to drink--

that's how you keep the recruits safe.

I did the head count and there was an extra recruit.

If you miscount, that is your fault. Don't blame it on the supernatural.

Okay. I know I've done what's necessary.

If the army doesn't believe in the supernatural,

why is there no training on Thursday nights?

And why are we not allowed to walk through

Muslim cemeteries during the road march?

Just because we don't do Thursday night road marches,

just because we don't walk through Muslim cemeteries,

does that mean we believe in the supernatural?

You're kind of simpleminded, aren't you?

I don't know what you mean.

I just know that one recruit has died and I can't lose another.

Then make sure that doesn't happen again.

Give the recruits half a day off.

If any one of them is still affected psychologically,

send them to the medical officer.

Understand?

Yes, sir!

Hey, brother.

Have a bite.

Don't brood over it.

It was just an accident. No one expected it to happen.

It was not an accident.

What do you mean?

I've said this many times. I really saw Tan's spirit.

Tan's death was not an accident.

It's strange...

that all our torches went out at the same time.

I checked the batteries. All of them were dead.

I had just changed them.

Do you think the extra head count was normal?

Maybe we panicked and numbered off incorrectly.

You said you saw Tan's spirit. How come none of us saw anything?

How the hell would I know?

Why won't you believe that I saw Tan's spirit?

It's because you caused his death, right?

Are you worried that he's going to seek revenge on you?

Say that again? Say that again!

Can you all calm down?

Enough!

We'll know if it was an accident after the investigation.

What's the use of an investigation if they're blind to the truth?

( DOOR SQUEAKS )

Don't say I didn't warn you.

Put coins under the bed.

Otherwise, if your bed shakes at night, it's not my problem.

( WATER DRIPPING )

( DOOR CREAKS )

Tan.

I'm sorry.

Tan. Tan.

Tan.

Tan?

( PANTING )

Room.

At ease.

Your mom just called.

She said your dad just passed away.

Do you need bereavement leave?

No.

Are you sure?

You don't have to go for the morning training later.

I can do it.

Are you okay?

- Why are you calling? - I'm not feeling well.

Can you book out to visit me?

This is an army camp. You think I can book out at will?

- Just this time. - No.

Tan.

I hope you can rest in peace.

We are already of different worlds.

I hope you can be more relaxed over there.

Don't come back for us.

Tan.

I'm sorry.

I didn't mean to keep bullying you.

I was just like you when I was younger--

always getting bullied.

I thought if I bullied you,

you would be stronger and manly.

But now I know I was wrong

and how silly I was.

Can you please forgive me?

What?

( MEN SHOUTING CADENCE )

( LIM PANTING ) I can't take it anymore.

Damn it. You are really weak.

Lim, let me ask you.

Does my mouth really stink?

Who are you?

LIM: Jeremy?

Jeremy!

Are you all right?

- Did you see her? - Who?

Did you see her?

It's that woman. She was there on the night Tan died.

Jeremy. Don't go in there.

Did Tan's spirit come for you?

It was just a dream.

Just because you don't believe doesn't mean "they" don't exist.

And just because you believe

means "they" do exist?

( MAN SCREAMS )

( MAN WHIMPERING )

( LAUGHING )

JEREMY: Chester. Chester?

Chester?

Chester, stop it!

- Chester, stop it! - ( SHOUTS )

Stop it, Chester!

Stop it, Chester!

( SCREAMING )

( VOICES WHISPERING )

Tan?

Are you Tan?

( ROARING )

Hold his head! Hold his head!

( DEMONIC LAUGHTER)

( ROARING )

Kuah, the recruits can see you.

Sir, it's really bad this time. Trust me.

- So what are you suggesting? - I think we should call in a medium.

Medium? Are you serious?

Yes, sir. I know a very popular medium.

Kuah, do you realize what you're saying?

You want to call in a medium to perform an exorcism?

Sir, not to perform any rites. Just get the medium in to take a look.

Just to take a look? Does this look like a joke to you?

What kind of signals are you sending to the recruits?

- That this camp is haunted? - The recruits are not blind.

They've seen what happened to Chester. They know what's going on.

Look. It's obvious they're not taking Tan's death very well.

They're mentally and emotionally disturbed. I get it.

You are the platoon sergeant.

You should be looking into this sort of thing!

Sir, Chester did not lose his mind. I'm serious.

Trust me, okay?

I've trusted you before.

Sir...

I know you blame me for Lye and Tan's deaths.

Tan's death is still under investigation.

Don't go there.

But Lye, he committed suicide.

You know that, I know that.

We could have saved him if you had sent him for counselling much earlier.

Okay, sir. It was all my fault.

Lye and Tan's deaths were my mistakes.

But this time, I can't let the same thing happen to my recruits again.

Sorry, sir.

If you want to charge me and put me in detention,

I don't care.

This time I insist on calling in the medium.

Sorry, sir.

Sir.

( ROARS )

( LAUGHS )

( SPEAKING IN TONGUES )

( ROARING )

( ROARING )

DRAGON: Out of all the people here,

why was Chester the only one affected?

Maybe he's just very unfortunate.

You make me vomit blood!

Remember the night when Chester and Tan were on guard duty?

After that night, Tan became really timid.

I've dreamt of Tan after he died.

In the dream, I saw Chester die.

I believe Tan's death is connected to him.

Are you okay?

Was it really Tan?

- What are you saying? - I'm asking if it was Tan?

- How would I know? - Stop saying you don't know.

Tell me honestly.

Tan's death, do you have anything to do with it?

No.

How much longer do you want to lie?

He was your friend and my best friend.

He helped you many times. You should remember that.

Don't you think you've let him down?

Chester, tell me what you know.

I want to help you.

Why did you bring me here?

That night, while Tan and I were on guard duty...

Chester, how did we get here?

Are we lost?

Don't worry.

Walk this way and we should find a way out.

Let's go.

( GASPS )

What's wrong?

- I've got a leg cramp. - What do you want now?

We still have to rush to the next checkpoint.

I really can't go on.

I'll take a look around. You have a rest here.

( SQUEALING )

(SQUEALING, GRUNTING )

( SQUEALS )

( GROANS )

(GRUNTS)

Chester!

Chester! Something's grabbing my leg!

(GRUNTING )

It didn't look... human.

What do you mean?

Think carefully. Was there blood or--

I really don't know.

I panicked

and couldn't see clearly.

Where did it happen?

Just down the slope.

Let's go down.

Jeremy.

It happened here.

Let's continue searching.

( GASPS )

What's wrong?

Did you see her?

Who?

She was just standing here.

There is no one else here.

Tan's death is definitely related to her.

It must be her.

Jeremy. Are you all right?

I must find her.

Let's return to the company line first.

Chester.

The next one to die may be you.

What are you talking about?

I dreamt of you dying.

Dream? It's only a dream.

I dreamt of Tan dying...

before his death.

Both dreams were identical.

I've got to find that woman.

I believe the villagers on this island should know her.

Excuse me.

Did you grow up on this island?

Yes, why?

There is a legend about a medium on this island.

Is that true?

- I don't know. - You must know.

It's very important to us. Please tell us.

She has killed a friend of mine.

I really don't know.

He may be the next person to die...

if you don't help us.

Please.

I'm begging you

I only saw her when I was young.

CHILDREN: Get lost!

Freak! Monster!

I'm telling you to leave!

The children in the village started to die one by one.

Everyone believed that it was Yi Gu

who placed a curse on their children to seek revenge.

But I couldn't be sure.

Looking at her, I could sense her fury and evil.

She seemed to have a strange ability

to control other people.

Is she still living on the island?

I haven't seen her in a long time.

But according to some of the other villagers,

she has gone mad.

Do you know where she lives?

On the west side of this island.

Near the river.

Let's look for Sergeant Kuah.

Thank you.

(WOMAN HUMMING )

( RASPY BREATHING )

( SINGING CONTINUES )

Chester.

Chester!

Chester!

Chester?

Chester!

( CHESTER SCREAMING )

( BONES CRACKING )

( SCREAMING )

- ( CRACKS ) - ( SCREAMS )

( GHOSTLY MOAN )

( DOOR CREAKING )

( GASPS )

Do you believe now?

Stop.

Don't be afraid.

Help me.

Help me!

Why did you have to kill them?

It was just an accident!

I didn't kill them.

Then who did?

( RASPY BREATHING )

I'm sorry.

( WOMAN'S VOICE ) I've let you down.

(CRYING )

(COUGHING )

(COUGHING )

(COUGHING )

( HUMMING )

- ( CRYING ) -( HUMMING )

I'm sorry.

I've let you down.

Damn it.

We're stuck here for this weekend.

Stop it.

My girlfriend's going to be unhappy again.

Do you know the history of this island?

What history?

I heard there were two recruits,

who, while doing guard duty,

accidentally killed one of the villagers.

There were villagers on this island?

Of course. Didn't you study history?

There used to be many villagers on this island.

She came back and took revenge on the recruits.

Every night at 23:59 hours,

she would return to haunt them.

Are you sure?

Do you think I would joke about this?

Please. This story has been retold so many times.

It's definitely not accurate.

Do you know why I'm sure it's true?

- Why? - It's my uncle who told me.

Who is your uncle?

He's the commander of this camp!

Our commander?

( BOTH LAUGH )

(WOMAN HUMMING )

( CREAKS )

( MUSIC PLAYING )