Incantation True Story

Is Incantation Based on a True Story? The Real Inspiration Behind the Horror Film

Yes, the 2022 Taiwanese horror film Incantation is loosely inspired by real events—but with significant fictional elements added for dramatic effect.

The film draws partial inspiration from the 2005 Gushan cult incident in Kaohsiung, Taiwan. In this disturbing case, a Taiwanese family—believing they were possessed by deities—became involved in intense ritual practices that escalated into violence. Convinced that their eldest daughter was afflicted by evil spirits, they performed a series of extreme exorcism-like acts. Tragically, this led to the young woman’s death.

The family, deeply involved in religious superstition and cult-like beliefs, claimed divine possession and accused one another of being controlled by demons. The case shocked the nation and sparked public conversations about mental health, religious extremism, and spiritual abuse.

Director Kevin Ko and co-writer Chang Che-wei took inspiration from the psychological and spiritual elements of the Gushan case but emphasized that Incantation is not a direct retelling. The film introduces fictional constructs like the "Mother Buddha" deity and builds an original mythos influenced by East Asian religious iconography, particularly elements from Tibetan Buddhism and folk religions.

While the film aims to unsettle with found-footage realism, its core themes—faith, fear, guilt, and the dangers of blind belief—extend beyond the original incident to explore broader cultural anxieties.

Key Takeaways:
Incantation is fictional, but inspired by real events from Taiwan’s 2005 Gushan incident.

The film's religious elements, including the Mother Buddha curse, are invented for narrative purposes.

It uses found-footage style and viral internet horror themes to enhance realism.

The story serves as a cautionary tale about the intersection of superstition and psychological trauma.

For those interested in the real-life case, researching the Gushan exorcism case (2005) offers valuable context—but viewer discretion is advised due to the disturbing nature of the events.