In the silence of the barracks, a spirit’s scream echoes louder than gunfire.
23:59 is a Singaporean horror film directed by Gilbert Chan, blending military realism with supernatural terror. Set on Pulau Tekong, an island used for army training, the story follows a group of national servicemen enduring the hardships of boot camp. Their strict routines and grueling drills are already tough enough, but everything changes when eerie events begin to unfold at exactly 23:59 — one minute before midnight.
The legend haunting the camp speaks of a vengeful spirit of a woman who died in tragic circumstances. Soldiers whisper about her ghost, claiming she roams the island, seeking revenge on anyone unlucky enough to cross her path. For the recruits, the line between rumor and reality soon blurs as strange noises, terrifying visions, and unexplained deaths escalate. Fear spreads quickly, and the camp’s rigid discipline can no longer contain the growing panic.
At the heart of the story is Tan, a quiet and troubled recruit who becomes the focus of suspicion and ridicule. His bond with his best friend Jeremy provides the emotional anchor of the film, but when tragedy strikes, Tan finds himself isolated and vulnerable to both the cruelty of his peers and the supernatural forces lurking in the shadows. As the soldiers try to survive their military training, they are forced to confront a horror far more terrifying than their drills — a relentless ghost that strikes when the clock hits 23:59.
What sets 23:59 apart is its use of local folklore and the unique backdrop of Singapore’s national service. The film taps into the universal fears of isolation, bullying, and the unknown, while also weaving in a cultural layer that makes the haunting feel authentic and chilling.
With its blend of ghostly scares and the claustrophobic setting of military life, 23:59 explores how superstition, trauma, and fear collide. It leaves audiences questioning whether true terror comes from restless spirits — or the darkness within ourselves.
