Dead Talents Society

For the first time in my life, I don't know how to review a movie. I don't know how to put into words how that movie made me feel. Still, I'll try my best.

First, the movie is about a girl who just died and went to the afterlife. She explores the society of the Dead Talents and tries to find a way to fit in. That's a journey we all take in our own lives every day. Who we are and how we fit into society define who we become. This move explains it all rather perfectly.

The acting is incredible. The actors all have wide ranges, and they all play them perfectly.

This is not a horror movie. I laughed my lungs out and then cried my eyes out. The emotional rollercoaster was a fun journey.

To whomever came up with making this movie, I thank you from the bottom of my heart.

A recently deceased, shy, and reclusive girl discovers that even in the afterlife it is necessary to be popular, influential, and talented. Since she lacked such attributes while living, it is like a second death sentence to try to prove herself again. Fortunately, there are other misfit ghosts who sympathize with the girl and are willing to help. The girl needs a license to scare people and her new friends vow to get her one. But there is competition. A gang of rising stars in the underworld challenges the girl. Shock and mayhem ensue as the ghost gangs battle to see who is the scariest.

This thoughtful and insightful film surprised me with depth, warmth, and genuine humor that I did not expect from this midnight madness genre. There is sympathy for a gentle, kind, and good girl who just wishes to be seen and known.

The director and leading actors were present for this world premiere screening at the Toronto International Film Festival. Hsu's own father encouraged him to be well known, as the main character in the film struggles to accomplish. The film is based on actual urban legends from Taiwan. While the rapid-fire Mandarin is difficult to keep up with at times, it is still preferable to listening to a dubbed version.

This film is a delightful blend of fresh and abundant humor that keeps the audience thoroughly entertained from start to finish. The premise is both unique and intriguing: a ghost who desperately wants to avoid fading away into nothingness so that he can continue watching over his family, staying connected to their lives even after death. To achieve this, the ghost must master the art of scaring people, making his presence known to the living in order to maintain his existence in the human world. The irony, however, is that in trying to become a ghost who doesn't disappear, the ghost ends up working harder and living more rigorously than he ever did when he was alive, just to remain in this world.

What makes this film truly special is how it intertwines its comedic elements with deeply thought-provoking themes. While on the surface it may seem like a lighthearted comedy about a ghost trying to scare people, it actually explores profound ideas about life, death, and the lengths we go to in order to stay connected with those we love. The ghost's journey is both humorous and poignant, as he learns various scare tactics and practices them tirelessly, all for the sake of remaining close to his family.

The relationships between the characters are beautifully portrayed, with a strong emphasis on mutual support and the bonds that tie them together, even across the boundary between life and death. These moments of connection bring a warm smile to your face, adding depth to the story and making the characters even more endearing.

This film is truly a rare gem-a perfect balance of humor, heart, and deep reflection. It's a movie that will make you laugh out loud, but also leave you with a sense of profound emotion, as it touches on universal themes of love, loss, and the desire to stay close to those we care about. I highly recommend seeing this film in theaters, as it offers an experience that will make you both laugh and cry, leaving a lasting impact on your heart and mind.

Let me start off this review by saying that this movie was really likable. The cast was great, the characters were unique and enjoyable, and the overall narrative was pretty original. We follow a young ghost woman who tries to create her own urban legend after her death. In this world, it's completely normal to exist in the afterlife, and many ghosts spend their time scaring the living with their coolest scare ideas, hoping to go viral in the afterlife.

Our protagonist isn't really interested in that, but soon she realizes she has no choice, otherwise, she will simply be erased. With the help of her friend and numerous other characters, she must try to create the perfect scare. However, it's not as easy as it sounds, since you need both talent and even a license.

As I mentioned at the start, this movie has plenty of enjoyable aspects. From a technical standpoint, it's well-made and consistently entertaining. It heavily leans into comedy and supernatural elements, with some drama and horror mixed in. The film mirrors the world of the living, reflecting themes of fame, glamour, and the pursuit of being unforgettable. It's a unique take, showcasing a ghost world with its own TV shows and even awards for the best scares.

That being said, the movie isn't without flaws. The biggest issue for me was that it sometimes felt a little all over the place. The fast editing, combined with frequent close-ups on characters' faces and the added challenge of reading subtitles in time, made it feel overstimulating at times. Maybe this would smooth out on a rewatch, but during my first viewing, it was a bit much. Additionally, some of the comedic elements tried a little too hard for my taste, which made a few scenes fall flat instead of fully landing their humor.

Overall, it's an enjoyable movie with a lot of talent involved, even if it can feel overwhelming at times. If you don't mind that or are generally a fan of Asian comedy cinema, I would definitely recommend giving this a try, especially since it's easily available on Netflix. [5,6/10]

Wow! Just wow! I was having a lazy day today and came across Dead Talents Society whilst scrolling through Netflix. I'd heard great things about it via one of the main horror movie news sites and being a big fan of Asian horror films, I decided to check it out. At first glance it may look like a typical horror comedy however there's a lot more to it than just that - it's a film that has heart! The comedy is brilliantly done, the characters are all fun and likeable, the concept itself is new and interesting and it also has emotional depth. It raises some thought provoking questions regarding fame, one's worth and what it truly means to be "seen". It even made me tear up at the end! One of the best horror movies of the year without a doubt, I truly hope it gets the recognition it deserves - I know it won several awards and I have to say it 100% deserves them! I would love to see a sequel or even a tv series continuing on this fun little world!