The problem with doing a horror-comedy is that you’re tasked with excelling in both extremely different genres at the same time.

Unfortunately, the scares nor the laughs come easily in this lacklustre affair.

Dr. Cheon and the Lost Talisman begins with an introduction to a man who fakes exorcisms for a living, preying on the fears and superstitions of those around him for a buck. But he meets his match when he takes a case and the girl he’s to meet is actually possessed.

Perhaps what’s most bothersome is star Gang Dong-won is actually game for the proceedings, but struggles to shine under the weight of a hap-hazard script.

It’s all a bit too hokey, and fails at every turn to straddle the line between scares and hilarity. It just misses the mark with a muddled tone and dialogue that doesn’t service the work Dong-won is putting in.

There are flashes of effort here, but never enough to lift this one beyond mediocrity.

2/5 Stars