In 1992 if you said “Candyman” into the mirror three times a hook-handed entity would take your life. 2021 marked the release of the Candyman 2 sequel that forced many a bedroom light to be switched on. What’s more exciting than a horror folk tale? The creepy killer curse movie is the movie to see next if you enjoy this kind of story. Scroll down to the Head Count explained section if you want answers. If you say hisji, hisji, hisji, hisji will the curse get you?
In the movie Head Count, the characters make smart choices despite being under the influence. The film focuses on a few individuals, giving them depth and keeping the audience guessing about who might die next. It’s important to pay attention to the details and do a headcount to fully enjoy the story.
Table of Contents
A Head Count
Throughout the film, some participants in the group undeniably proved to be rather irksome. However, rest assured that even the other characters readily admitted this fact. Evan himself later commented on Nico’s lack of intellectual prowess. It is evident that most of this group merely served as cannon fodder for the entity that hunted them. Nevertheless, I highly recommend keeping an attentive tally of the remaining individuals, as it certainly enhances the overall viewing experience.
The story begins with Evan who heads off to see his brother instead of hanging out with his friends during school break. While out hiking, they come across a group of people kicking back en route to a house they’ve rented. Peyton decides to give his younger brother a chance to have some fun and they instead make plans to meet up the following day.
Although heavily reliant on coincidence, the main juice in the flow of the story comes from the ability to keep you on your toes. Should you rewind it and start over? Well, I did. I simply couldn’t help myself. I thought I was diving into a blase movie about a bunch of kids that get knocked off one by one. Plain and simple. Instead, I went back and got evidence of the clues hidden in the simple structure of the film. All this is in the Head Count film spoiler section at the end if you care to take a look. I even took screenshots to pin down some really neat attention to detail by the writers!
Head Count Movie
The writer-director Ellie Callahan has more than a simple play-by-play here. Previously Callahan has written short films — and this is, in fact, her directorial and story debut for a full-length feature film. I’m not going to spoil any of the mystery here. Maybe you’re like me and like to watch a film with as little detail as possible. The trailer link below does a great job of not giving the game away too much.
One notable aspect that I found less captivating in the Head Count movie was the sound editing. It is a technique commonly employed in mainstream horror films, which personally tends to bother me. In my opinion, this particular movie could have achieved a higher level of creepiness if the more nuanced scenes featuring the Hisji were not accompanied by such loud sounds. Often, the element of surprise is diminished as a result. Instead, the filmmakers could have relied on subtler cues, such as the faint rattling sound that signals Hisji’s presence. In addition, the insertion of a startling sound only further diminishes the impact.
Final Thoughts
I thoroughly enjoyed the story, the grand finale, and the splendid homage paid to other folklore movies. Head Count (2018) effortlessly captivates on its own, but it also leaves a tantalizing possibility of a sequel. While some with more refined preferences may disagree, I found the storyline’s simplicity to be a refreshing change. Furthermore, although it may not satisfy those seeking excessive gore, for me, Head Count flawlessly strikes a balance. I was so hooked on the film that I went on an information-gathering quest, which led me to uncover fascinating details revealed in the Head Count spoiler section.
If you don’t expect too much from Head Count, you will enjoy it. If you like films like “It Follows,” “It Lives Inside,” and “Candyman,” then you’ll be happy with your night’s viewing. The movie dropped on the Shudder platform on February 2nd, 2021. I urge you to give it some time.
Head Count 2018 is rated
3.5 creepy trees in the dessert out of 5
Head Count Trailer
Head Count Movie + Hisji Poem + Spoiler and Explanation
HISJI HISJI HISJI HISJI HISJI
A Hisji is a vengeful thing 5 Times its name you never sing,
With skin pale white and eyes of green, it’s something you’ve already seen,
It’s here, it’s there,
It’s there, it’s here,
Provoke its form and disappear,
A Hisji is a vengeful thing 5 Times its name you never sing.
The chant from the film Head Count
Characteristics Of the Hisji
The website says that Hisji is a shifting creature that enacts a suicidal curse upon its victims. Unstable and lonely hides in plain sight. Once its name has been said five times, it is summoned and can’t be stopped. Its power comes from five.
The website Evan looks on then shows some cases where it’s believed a Hisji has been summoned and the results concern the Clarkson family in 2007 and Westboro sophomore boys in 2001. A link leads Evan to Hanna Clarkson’s blog where the story tells the following:
Hannah’s Blog Summary
- Hannah moved from Texas to Connecticut as a family of 5. They stay in a hotel before moving into their new house.
- Hannah posts a photo of the new house three days later. She remarks that there are more trees. It’s a nice neighborhood.
- The family begins making the house their own and Hannah gets the biggest room as her brother will be leaving for college. She selects some new wallpaper. As they pull down the existing wallpaper, Hannah sees the words HISJI HISJI HISJI HISJI HISJI written on the wood. She reports that her brother is away for the weekend.
- Hannah writes that she has seen some footprints at the back of the house. She assumes they belong to the new gardener but remarks they are quite big.
- The family has been subjected to four blackouts since moving in. They all blame the heat and air conditioning. Subsequently, Hannah and her sister have been at the local pool where they have both seen a girl watching them playing together. The girl seems lonely.
- A few days later Hanna writes how she heard five twigs snap while in the garden with her mother, saw five stones in a circle at the front door, and a drawing that included five scratch marks on the side of the house.
- Hannah’s dad falls out of a window and is taken to the hospital. Her dad tells his family he didn’t fall.
- In the garage, Hanna sees a stranger who doesn’t speak. She takes a photo of this person. Her last entry is on June 1st, a Friday.
- Everyone in the family was last seen on June 1st except for Hannah. An unconfirmed report from a neighbor states she was seen in the front yard on June 2nd.
Family Goes Missing — Reported June 4th, a Monday
On June 4th, Hannah’s parents report the family missing after failing to turn up for a family gathering. Megan and Andrew Clarkson say they were unable to reach them by phone as the line is dead. Police reports say the house was empty but otherwise undisturbed. The case was closed when no further information could be discovered.
Snapshots taken by police note the oven door was left open and there was a distinct head depression in a cushion on the lounge.
Did You Spot This? More Head Count Trivia
The photo by the bed where Evan and Zoe sleep pictures a family of five. The family shows the same dynamic as Hannah’s description, two sisters, a brother, a mom, and a dad.
Evan remarks that there is a ‘blonde girl’ missing as they leave for the lookout. Just before this, as he walks bleary-eyed from his room a blonde girl is seen sitting in the lounge. Her hair is different from Camille’s who is also in the house. He says; “Good morning” to her as he wanders outside. The camera focuses on Evan but out of focus inside, the blonde, who we can assume is the Hisji looks towards him.
Just after this Evan ventures over to the disheveled building and before Zoe sneaks in to see what he’s up to, the camera shows the same blonde girl sitting behind him.
Head Count Movie Mixing Folk-Lore Curses And Horror - Mother of Movies
Director: Ellie Callahan
Date Created: 2019-06-14 21:51
3.5
Pros
- Pass the curse horror
- Beautiful scenery and landscape
Cons
- Generic
- Unlikable character fodder
