THEY WAIT is a Canadian supernatural horror thriller that blends in western and Chinese cultures.  The protagonist is desperate mother, Sarah (Jamie King) who will do anything to save her son, Sammy (Regan Oey) from the hungry ghosts.  It all started in the past when the Communists came to power in China.  They barred the remains of deceased Chinese-Americans causing thousands of restless spirits were left to wander.  Ancient Chinese culture demands that the bones be buried next to the ancestors.

THEY WAIT stars mostly newcomers including former fashion model Jamie King.  But the pleasure is watching former Hong Kong star Cheng Pei-Pei as the agitated Aunt Mei.  Cheng was the star of countless Shaw Organization sword epics and she was last seen as the evil Jade Fox in CROUCHING TIGER, HIDDEN DRAGON.

Director Barbarash (he co-produced AMERICAN PSYCHO) is unafraid to rip-off (but in good spirits) classic horror fare like PSYCHO (the ghost in the shower scene), THE EXORCIST (the boy possessed) and THE SIXTH SENSE (the boy sees dead people).  Humor is at times over the top.  A tricked ghost compliments Sarah: “You’re pretty smart for a woman.” The pharmacist (Henry O), who records dreams, has the craziest ancient Chinese sayings.  And poor Sarah who figures what is going out while freaking out keeps getting told that she must rest.  No wonder the kid (Regan Oey) goes into a coma.  Everyone in the film is scaring him out of his wits.

If one ignores minor plot holes (like how the pharmacist knows so much; why the ghosts believe Sarah), THEY WAIT is quite a satisfying, well-made thriller in the vein of J-horror flicks.  And the audience is spared from any gross out scenes.