Movie Poster

Go away, vile spirit!

# Review

I enjoy watching films on flights that I wouldn’t usually watch and this film fits the bill. For one, the trailer seems to portray a generic crime thriller, and also the title does not contain an oxford comma. The story follows Chen Kui-lin (Ethan Juan), a notorious gangster who learns that he has terminal cancer. Chen decides to hunt down the two criminals more wanted than him in Taiwan in order to be remembered after he dies.

I’m honestly not too sure what to make of the film, as the film progresses, the tone and genre of the film drastically changes, almost at random. The beginning of the film feels like a typical action crime film but near the end the film becomes almost a contemplative drama. Perhaps that’s the central message of the film, that life is inherently meaningless and random. Ethan Juan is great as the protagonist and portrays the character’s wide range of emotions. Other roles that stood out are Ben Yuen’s volatile Hongkie and Chen Yi-wen’s benevolent religious leader. There are some action sequences, but the bulk of the film is a deep dive into Kui-lin’s character and the film’s strong existential themes. The pacing is definitely on the slower end, almost like an European film. There are also some cool Asian motifs like Kui-lin begging for a sign from the deities.

# Conclusion

A fun and lighthearted horror film.

# Overall rating: 7.4

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