Film Review #131: DEAD TALENTS SOCIETY
SFS Preview - DEAD TALENTS SOCIETY (2024) - film review
*This film review may contain plot spoilers, reader discretion is advised.*
The Chinese lunar seventh month has entered its final week this year. Known as the “Hungry Ghost Month” informally among ethnic Chinese in Singapore and the region, it is an annual month-long period where “hungry ghosts” are “released” from hell back into the human world - many of these spirits exact revenge on those who have wronged them when they were alive. It is believed that humans who breach the customs of this festival will likely be met with hostility from the spirits whom they offended. Pulling from this tradition, Taiwanese supernatural comedy DEAD TALENTS SOCIETY drops on 29 August in Singapore theatres, bringing a mix of laughter and screams to our island as the “Hungry Ghost Month” concludes.
DEAD TALENTS SOCIETY centres around “The Rookie” (Gingle Wang - DETENTION; MARRY MY DEAD BODY), an unnamed deceased girl who led a seemingly purposeless life in which she failed at everything she pursued, and who is now an equally uninspired ghost about to disappear in a month’s time. She chances upon Catherine (Sandrine Pinna - SEE YOU TOMORROW; LEGEND OF THE DEMON CAT), an experienced scarer, through her “agent and manager” Makoto (Wilson Chen Bolin - IN TIME WITH YOU; TRICK OR TREAT), and is brought under her wing. As a team, Catherine, Makoto and The Rookie, are locked into a scare-off with Jessica (Eleven Yao Yi Ti - THE GANS, THE OSCARS, AND THE WALKING DEAD; TRICK OR LOVE), Catherine’s former apprentice-turned-rival.
Directed by John Hsu, who also co-wrote the film with Kun-Lin Tsai, DEAD TALENTS SOCIETY is the director’s sophomore feature, marking the second collaboration between Hsu and Gingle Wang since DETENTION. Confusing as Wang’s third-billing might be, fans of the rapidly rising Taiwanese actress would very much rejoice given how she actually has the most screen-time in this film. Despite the light-hearted nature of the film, Wang’s turn leans more towards the emotional side and her character’s story may resonate with a fair number of peers who share similar life experiences.
While DEAD TALENTS SOCIETY does not hold back on its supernatural elements and the amount of gore, rigid horror fans should note that this film is ultimately a slapstick comedy much more than it is a scary movie. However, audiences who enjoy an abundance of outrageous gore will likely be satisfied with this film.
In the same breath, the teams who worked on the special effects of this movie deserve praise. Having seen a number of Taiwanese films over the years with average or disappointing special effects, DEAD TALENTS SOCIETY is a positive sign that the craft is noticeably improving in the nation’s film industry. With the Golden Horse Awards less than a quarter away, DEAD TALENTS SOCIETY should be confident and proud that it is considerably competitive in the technical categories - especially best sound, best editing, best visual effects, best action choreography and best make-up and hairstyling.
Years from now, when this film has developed its loyal fanbase, I predict there will be a friendly debate over if the film is better in its fleshed out, well-executed supernatural elements, or in its dramatic, emotional moments. I personally prefer the latter, and am curious to know more about Pinna’s Catherine - what she went through when she was still alive, how and why she became the scarer that she is? Some ten extra minutes of screentime, which would bring this film to only two hours anyway, could most certainly value-add to the bandwidth for Catherine’s character development.
DEAD TALENTS SOCIETY is a fun ride from start to finish. Powered by hilarious and committed performances, and supported by stellar technical craftwork, it is a solid crowd-pleaser that will surely make one’s day. Lastly, do sit through the credits and only leave when the entire screening ends, you will not be disappointed.
Catch DEAD TALENTS SOCIETY in theatres across the island from 29 August 2024 onwards!
随着今年的农历七月进入最后一个礼拜，台湾电影《鬼才之道》在新加坡上映显得特别应景。
暌违五年，徐汉强导演的第二部作品终于问世。继《返校》，《鬼才之道》再次由新生代人气女星王净担任主角之一。王净饰演一个菜鸟鬼，面对即将在一个月后从人间消失的危机，不得已必须尝试取得 “厉鬼证” 变成厉鬼才得以继续留在人间。
电影的另一个主要故事线则围绕着张榕容所饰演的凯萨琳，一只实力派厉鬼。她曾有一名学徒 - 潔西卡（姚以缇饰），但标新立异的潔西卡却和凯萨琳反目成仇，势不两立。凯萨琳身旁的团队也包括 Makoto（陈柏霖饰），在遇见菜鸟鬼同学后决定将她带入凯萨琳门下训练她成为一只吓人的厉鬼。
网路短剧《正港分局》不久前上架，再加上这部电影，王净的粉丝在这期间应该是大饱眼福了。戏份最多的她，因角色的可怜背景以及在电影中的成长，拥有不少动人的时刻，在这无厘头喜剧之中显得更加出众。
如果说《鬼才之道》有任何美中不足之处，也许是与它精彩的吓人桥段相比之下，少了对凯萨琳这个角色更深刻的人物塑造。观众对她生前的遗憾、悲剧了解的不多，有点可惜。也许制作团队在这方面特意留了一手，以便开发前传吧？毕竟它的IP颇有成为“邪典”（cult）的潜力。
知道这是一部鬼片，电影中的特效必然会在一个水准之上。果然，《鬼才之道》在技术层面非常亮眼 - 精准的剪辑、逼真又逼人的造型、动作指导、音效及视觉效果都给人留下深刻印象。距离2024金马奖还剩下不到三个月，这部电影想必是有机会在典礼上大放异彩。
《鬼才之道》的搞笑、娱乐性等都不必多说。在这里想要特别呼吁陈柏霖的粉丝，电影结束时请记得待到最后，保证你们不会失望！
About the author: Jarrett is a devoted cinephile for over half of his life. Apart from movies, coffee keeps him awake and music keeps him alive. Having studied theatre and performed as an actor before, he's also a sucker for great performances.
Connect with Jarrett here: https://linktr.ee/jarrettandfilm
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