Geung si

Plot synopsis:
Formerly successful actor Chin Siu-ho, star of Mr. Vampire, becomes depressed and suicidal when his wife leaves him. He moves into a dilapidated apartment building, where he meets Uncle Yin, the building's long-time, friendly supervisor. Yin performs a welcoming ceremony, and Chin insists that Yin take a gratuity saying that, "It'll become necessary,". After listening to a recorded message left by his young son, Chin attempts to hang himself. His action draws the attention of twin ghosts who haunt the apartment, and they possess his body. Yau, a retired vampire hunter, bursts into the room, cuts down the noose, and exorcises the spirits from Chin's body. Alerted by the commotion, his neighbors gather at the doorway before Yau disperses them.
Later, Chin visits Yau's restaurant, where Yau explains that he has taken up cooking glutinous rice, an ingredient used in fighting jiangshi. Chin thanks Yau for saving his life, but Yau tells him to save his gratitude for a time when he can save Chin's life without the threat of suicide. Chin then meets several of his neighbors, including Yang Feng, a traumatized woman with mental instability and her albino son, Pak. The audience is also introduced to seamstress Auntie Meiyi and her husband Uncle Tung. Later that night, in a dream, Tung tells Meiyi that he must leave her for several days and requests that she wait for him. In reality, Tung has fallen down the stairs and died. Black magic practitioner Gau discovers the body and preserves it for Meiyi, who requests that he resurrect her husband. They begin the process of preserving and gradually resurrecting Tung's corpse while keeping it concealed in her bathroom.
Chin later discovers that Yin has been providing shelter for Yang and Pak, who are connected to the ghostly twins. Yin explains with the aid of a flashback, that in life, the twins were students being tutored by Yang's husband in apartment 2442. There, he assaulted and raped one of the sisters and upon discovering the brutal rape, the other twin stabs Yang's husband to death. After a scuffle, the final image depicts the dead tutor surrounded by the corpses of the twins; one dead on the floor next to him, the other hung from the ceiling fan. After hearing this, Chin attempts to seek help from Yau in permanently ridding the apartment of the twins, but Yau refuses and claims to simply be a cook now. Before leaving Yau's apartment, Chin remarks that if he truly was just a cook, he wouldn't have kept all the exorcism memorabilia from his Father, notably the large, round talisman mounted on the wall. Chin then turns to Gau, and the two summon the twins who proceed to possess Chin once again. Hearing the sounds of Gau and Chin fighting, Yau investigates and joins the fray. Together, Gau and Yau are able to exorcise the ghosts and bind them into a sturdy cabinet. Yau rebukes Gau for his use of Chin as bait and advises him to burn the cabinet. Gau promises to do so, and they leave Chin to recover.
Unsatisfied with her husband's lack of progress, Meiyi seeks further help from Gau, who counsels her to continue waiting. Gau eventually relents and suggests an alternative to the crow's blood she has been feeding Tung every night: the blood of a virgin. While they are discussing their options, Yin arrives to investigate the disappearance of Tung. Afraid that Yin suspects the truth, Meiyi murders him by bashing his head in. Later, Yau requests that she watch over Pak for a bit. When Pak requests to use the bathroom, she hesitates only briefly before seizing the opportunity and locks him in the room with Tung. While the child is horrifically murdered, Meiji stands on the other side of the door, tears streaming down her face. In a cut scene, the talisman in Yau's room activates, signaling the presence of a powerful evil. Now risen as a jiangshi, a disfigured Tung haunts the apartment complex. His first victim, a mortally wounded Gau reveals to Yau that he thought he needed the ghosts to resurrect Tung.
Distraught, Yang searches the apartment building for her missing son. When she finds the rattling cabinet, she assumes he is inside and hastily she opens it, unintentionally and unknowingly releasing the twins' ghosts. After searching a bit more she encounters Pak, now a specter. Filled with rage and sorrow, she slits her left wrist to lure out the jiangshi. She attempts to destroy him with a makeshift weapon, but ultimately, Tung kills her. Moments later, Chin shows up with a Molotov cocktail and sets Tung aflame, seemingly defeating him. However, the twins arrive and quickly possess Tung's corpse. Now more powerful, he easily impales Chin and leaves him for dead. Chin manages to free himself despite being heavily injured and finds Yau. He begs that Yau give him enough strength for one last fight. Initially reluctant, as it might risk Chin's life, Yau relents and sets a trap for Tung. With his vampire hunting tools, Yau weakens Tung enough for Chin to finally destroy him. As Tung slowly crumbles to ash, Meiyi joins him by slitting her throat. Chin and Yau, wounded by the battle, both collapse.
In the final sequence, it is shown what would have happened had there been no supernatural elements. Chin is again depicted moving into the apartment complex, but it is less run-down, and the residents are less eccentric: Yin does not interact with him, Yang and Pak are depicted as happy and friendly neighbors, and Meiyi is a widow who is shown admiring a picture of Tung. Chin successfully commits suicide, and an ineffective Yau discovers him too late to save him. At the morgue, Chin's son who is actually an adult and not a child as previously depicted, identifies the body to the medical examiner, Dr. Gau.

Tags: cult, plot twist

Review:
Visually stunning and unexpectedly moving, Juno Mak's homage to the 'vampire' movies of the 1980s is also an unusually ruminative piece of meta-cinema.
A visually stunning homage to the 1980s heydays of Hong Kong cinema when the vampire genre was very much alive (mostly in the form of the "hopping vampire" horror comedies), it proves itself to be so much more than a feast for genre fans, packing a surprisingly amount of emotional depth and establishing itself as a refreshingly different kind of meta- cinema.
Vampire aficionados will immediately recognise lead actor Chin Siu-ho from the opening scene, one of the last surviving alum of the classic 1985 'Mr Vampire' series (Mak dedicates the film to the two other deceased members, Lam Ching Ying and Ricky Hui) who plays himself as a washed-up movie star who moves into a dilapidated tenement building to commit suicide.
But even as Mak clearly intends for his film to appeal as well to a younger audience who crave for such vivid details, he never does get excessive, demonstrating a fair bit of restraint in scenes which could have easily been much more explicit.Mak also pairs his gory thrills with a generous helping of visual effects, relying less and less on his natural surroundings and more on lavishly designed dreamscapes that only make sense if one understands the rituals at the heart of the film (indeed, that's something very likely to be lost on a Western audience).
Don't say we didn't warn you - it doesn't quite end the way you want it to; instead, Mak throws in a last-minute twist that will undoubtedly throw you off-kilter, but in our opinion, is a unusually elegant eulogy to a genre and its stalwarts who have long since gone out of fashion.Unmistakable throughout the film is a distinct sense of loss and regret, whether in the form of a loving wife who tries all she can to preserve the life of her deceased husband or the inability of vengeful spirits to let go of their tragic past or even an individual's desolation at having f**ked up his life with his loved ones.
Like 'Gallants' from two years ago, there is a palpable sense of nostalgia one gets watching these veterans take to the screen like they never left.And 'Rigor Mortis' deserves to be appreciated in that very light, as a tribute to the 'keung si' genre as well as Mak's personal thoughts on their fortunes since.
It's a sad state of affair that this movie doesn't rate higher on IMDb. Granted, the narration is rather obscure, the ending a bit botched (hence not a 10/10 for me).Once you let go and you stop trying to understand every second of it, this movie becomes like watching the most fantastic nightmare you've ever seen.
Starring Anthony Chan, Siu-Ho Chin, Kara Hui, Hoi-Pang Lo, Richard Ng, and Hee Ching Paw. The plot revolves around an ex actor on a downward spiral, longing for death, who moves into an apartment tower where realm of supernatural and humanity are entwined.
"Rigor Mortis" offers a fantastical fantasy world of horror, drama and Hong Kong action.
Either way it is a tale that embraces both the old supernatural beliefs and contemporary style that proves Hong Kong's dominance over this blended fantasy/horror genre.
"Rigor Mortis" uses some pretty spectacular CGI and practical effects for the fantasy and horror elements.
Just based on "Rigor Mortis" as an independent entity untethered from it's inspiration, homages and such I found this to be one of the best horror/fantasy films that I have ever seen.
It doesn't make you feel like watching and old common vampire story.3) you see a lot of ghost in it, which is perfect.
And as if that isn't enough, then "Rigor Mortis" also throws in the element of the Chinese vampire mythology into the mix.
But enter this movie with an open mind and leave yourself open to the impressions, but visual and subliminal.The story in "Rigor Mortis" is about a troubled man who comes to an old and rundown building, where he rents room 2442 - a room with a dark and troubled past.
Set out to take his own life and end his torment, it becomes clear that the entire building is a locale of haunts, gruesome tales, and dark magic.Effects-wise, then "Rigor Mortis" is a visual treat, eye candy if you will.
Asian mythology meets stunning visual effects in an atmospheric, detailed and slow-paced horror movie.
"Rigor Mortis" is a slow-paced but intriguing atmospheric horror movie that honours both classic supernatural Hongkong cinema from the eighties and nineties and Japanese horror cinema of the nineties and the early years of the new millennium.
The CGI effects never look out of place and aren't overused as in many other contemporary Chinese films, especially action movies.
In his directional debut, Juno Mak manages to keep the basis of solid traditional horror movies based on an atmospheric use of lights and sounds, on creepy settings in a dirty public housing tower with old- fashioned apartments and on a menacing score and more contemporary elements such as the use of vivid flashy colours contrasting with the dark settings, computer-animated demons that sometimes look exotically supernatural and at other times disturbingly realistic and slow-motion camera sequences that add a nightmarish touch to the movie.Apart of its detailed background and its consistent gloomy atmosphere, the movie can actually convince with some interesting characters.
There is not really one outstanding acting performance but each actor and actress does an above average effort in this film.It's hard to talk about the plot itself as several individual fates and different stories end up leading to something bigger and a fatal last fight between some courageous apartment tenants and some evil creatures.
The way between start and finish is much more intriguing than the short overture and the grand finale themselves.Now, if you care for atmospheric, mythological and slow-paced Asian horror cinema where you have to use your brain a little bit, this is definitely one of the most original movies in many years.
This is a very, if not exceptionally, welcomed piece of what drove me to HK-cinema in the first place.Take a slice of 80's hopping vampires sans the comedy, blended into perfection with stylish visuals, Ju-On-esque storytelling, loads of urban cantonese profanities and one can totally engulf himself in a genuine Hong-Kong movie experience.
Director Juno Mak brings us a horror HK movie like nothing else, a story about a former actor who makes his new home at a creepy, dark and depressed-looking Hong Kong public housing tower.
There, he encounters a slew of ghosts and zombies.It was nice to see a brand new horror movie from Hong Kong that pays homage to the classic Mr. Vampire and other ghost genre movies of the 1980s-1990s.
Actors from the original Mr. Vampire series reunited to star in this film, including Chin Siu Ho, Anthony Chan, Billy Lau, Chung Fat and Richard Ng. They, including others in the movie, gave a very powerful and dramatic performance in their respective roles.
Lai-yin Leung and Philip Yung wrote a very moody, dark and eerie story that, despite being a homage, provided a huge departure to the Chinese vampire/ghost movies of the 80s and 90s.
The usual lighthearted humor and slapstick comedy seen in those movies were sorely absent in this film.The darkness and gloomy atmosphere that surrounded this movie almost made it seem that the heydays of those classic ghost/vampire movies were long gone.
The main vampire in the film was executed very well and all the events leading to its appearances provided enough creepiness and terror to make the hair raise behind your neck.While a pretty scary and intriguing movie, many of the plot points are confusing and the special effects team relied too heavily on CGI.
But that is exactly what Hong Kong pop star-turned-director, Juno Mak finds himself with his first film, Rigor Mortis.Described as a tribute to the horror-comedy series Mr. Vampire, Rigor Mortis takes its audience to an apartment complex where aging actor Chin Sui-Ho finds himself moping after the loss of his wife and son.
Ghosts and spirits are already known to loiter the halls of the building, but when a grieving resident attempts a ritual to bring her husband back from the dead the residents are forced to confront the evil of the supernatural including a vampire like creature that terrorizes the residents.Filled with some remarkable effects complimenting the very dark and dreary setting of the depraved building, Rigor Mortis is pea soup thick with atmosphere.
Asian cinema has always been the front runners in bringing ghost stories to the masses (Dark Water, Ju-on, Ringu), and director Juno Mak has surrounded himself with a top effects team to bring his creatures to life.Unfortunately, the visuals are not enough to save the film from the mediocrity pool.
The script is slow in getting to the goods and its complexity reminded us of Timur Bekmambetov's Night Watch – a glorious looking film that got lost among its effects.
The indulgence is particularly evident in the film's finale which includes a wonderful fight between our protagonist, the vampire like creature and two ghostly twins.Fans of the Mr. Vampire series may end up scratching their heads wondering where the comedic punch from their series has gone as Rigor Mortis has hardly two laughs to share from credits to credits.
Rigor Mortis falls in that category, one which possibly can turn the tide of the industry, if the other Directors picks up the finer points of the movie and understand the new consumer pattern of the current generation of movie-goers, and stop mass producing those hilariously distasteful slap-stick movies.Watch it with an open mind, and the plot will suck you in before you knows it.
Today I'd like to share my review for the Blu-Ray release of the 2013 Hong Kong film Rigor Mortis.
Movie and plot wise, Rigor Mortis was hard to follow at times and seemed to drag on for the first half of the film at a slow chug.
To me, even though it took a while to get there, the movie proved to be a fresh breath of air from the typical foreign horror films we've been getting like "The Grudge" for example.
Rigor Mortis did an amazing job at blending fast paced, extremely exaggerated fighting, Horror movie elements, and insanely enough a romantic love story to build a film that was definitely a unique watch.All and all, even though it was hard to follow at times, with a twisting and turning plot line and story including the token let-down of an end, Rigor Mortis was and enjoyable watch.
As always, if you enjoy horror films, make sure to track down a copy of Rigor Mortis and build your own opinions.
Even laughable here and there I might say, cause some scenes are way too typical "Asian horror that won't end already!"The good parts: as everyone else said, long live the effects, nicely done, captivating even; the plot is OK, especially the first 70%, where you find out more and more, things start to get together and you are intrigued; characters are all OK.The bad parts: the never ending finale!; the extremely poor twist; some scenes make pretty much no sense.All in all, if you into Asian horror, guess you have to add Rigor mortis.
Though it's twist is evident right from the beginning, the way it's constructed attracts your attention enough, so that you don't think about it until it is corroborated in the end.Basically, this is a supernatural thriller which combines elements from ghost and vampire tales, based around the occult rituals of a dark shaman, and fashioned within a Japanese context.
This isn't your typical vampire story based off of European legends...it's something quite different.We start off following the former actor- Yau- who is moving into a new apartment, after having lost his wife and son to an unknown accident.
In the end, Rigor Mortis is a pretty cool film that Vampire fans will love.
I like suspense building, I like tension, I loved Mr Vampire and Chinese culture, I don't want to be accused of being a western reviewer who knows nothing about Asian movies or told that I just didn't get it.
7. If you understand and can appreciate the cultural differences between western horror movies and those of the J horror genre,then THIS ONES FOR YOU.The storyline is not the most original ever seen yet it works, the acting by the cast was very good(please do not compare them to Brad Pitt and Sandra Bullock),the cgi special effects was well done and the mood of the film projected the right vibe.
Asian generation X and Y's will remember Mr Vampire series, a Hong Kong horror/comedy featuring the late veteran actor Lam Cheng Yim as the Taoist priest who fight against the vampires.
Having absent from the Hong Kong cinema for the past 2 decades, young musician Juno Mak is making his directorial debut, Rigor Mortis, a tribute to Mr Vampire series.
Pairing up with the casts from Mr Vampire series, Rigor Mortis is seen as a vampire horror catered to the modern generation and giving a surprise to the generation X and Y Asians.The plot looks simple: A depressed veteran actor Siu Ho (potrayed by Chin Siu Ho, making a comeback from Mr Vampire series) rented a unit in an aging apartment block, hoping to end his life after the death of his wife and son.
But overall, the strong storyline and the absence of good vampire films from Hong Kong should explains why Rigor Mortis is enjoying a box office success in Asia.
Package of dark story, horror, and stunning visual effect, wonderful ending.
I was really excited when I knew that Rigor Mortis was made as a tribute to Mr. Vampire series, I suddenly recalled the cast and song.While watching first bit of the movie, i was brought back to the memory of Chin Siu-Ho, which in this film seemed like playing himself, complete with the pictures of Mr. Vampire casts, of course with a touch of dark fiction.
He was bitter of what apparently, being separated from his son and wife, and he unable to let go of their memories.Rigor Mortis was dark and emotional horror movie, the action and ghosts was beautifully crafted by wonderful visual effect.I like the whole package, the dark background, the building suspense, which actually was not as scary as i expected, but the twin did give me goosebumps and eerie feeling even after the movie is over, and the uneasiness came from the bloods and the protruding bones.
i think the ending is sending a message about options we have in life; live and die as nobody or live and die for a purpose, plus the clear message of about letting go and attachment.I believe that Juno would like to let his audience to find their own interpretation of the ending.But, I love it, a rare horror movie with the touch of strong emotion in the story line and strong cast, which reminds me of Night Shamalayan's 6th sense and Mama.Kudos to Juno and Takashi Shimizu.
the actor got to live his last and greatest role and died a meaningful death, when in fact he simply committed suicide quietly in the real world.People may not understand a lot of the cinema cultural references the movie is heavily based on, subtracting a lot of the emotions the movie is meant to cause in its audience.TIPSWatch "Mr. Vampire" series....
In Rigor Mortis, Siu-hou Chin was a former zombie star , down and out!He end his life by hang himself in 2442 room,and all other things u see in this movie r some kind of illusion of Siu-hou Chin,maybe with all this fake illusion he can feel more honourable in his heart.
Also I know that,this movie wants to salute zombie films of hong kong in 80s and 90s,but to be honest it's more likely a Japanese movie .
I love old hong kong movies, zombie movies 'cause they just like B movies which can make one feel happy , fully and delightfully!After saw a movie like that my mood is very good!However, after I saw Rigor Mortis I really feel very depressive and I just don't know why ..
Particularly good are the two main female actors; Kara Hui as the traumatised mother and Hee Ching Paw as nice Auntie Mui who gets more desperate and violent as the film unwinds but only because she doesn't want to be left alone.High on atmosphere then but a bit lacking in plot..
RIGOR MORTIS is a Hong Kong horror movie from youthful director Juno Mak that has been devised as a tribute to Hong Kong horror of old, in particular the MR.
Many old-time stars of this film series have been cast in supporting roles, so there's a nostalgic, warm glow for Hong Kong cinema buffs that sits at odds with the rather grisly and mean-spirited plotting.The setting is a derelict apartment building of the kind favoured in Japanese ghost cinema such as DARK WATER (it comes as no surprise that Takashi Shimizu, director of JU-ON: THE GRUDGE, is a producer here).
After watching this movie I felt like a wasted my time and wanted my money bad.
I am a fan of Chinese Vampire/Ghost stories, and it has been long since last movie of the same kind, so it was a MUST on my watch-list.
One of those was recently released by Well Go USA Entertainment."Rigor Mortis" is a supernatural tale featuring vampires, zombies, ghost hunters, and other creatures that haunt your nightmares.
Mix in some martial arts and you have a perfect homage to the classic Chinese vampire films of the past.Although "Rigor Mortis" is unrated, I would give it an R.