Dead Talents Society

It's a really touchy story about a girl who doesn't know what it means to be seen until she literally becomes invisible.

Yes, it's as if Tim Burton made Squid Games - a yearly undead competition reality show about who is the best urban legend apparition to haunted the world's lamest paranormal investigators. And much like the human "reality" side, the afterlife flipside is just as much staged egomaniacal drama.

The reigning queen Catherine is aging out of competition and losing in popularity to upstart ingenue Jessica. Until Catherine reluctantly takes an even younger protege under her wing hoping to beat Jessica for the youth vote.

What ensues is frenetic dark comedy with a lot of soul as we learn how death is just a part of everyone's story - not the end of it.

It took me a while to finish watching it and to fully appreciate it. But it has great characters, gruesome setups, a fun score (especially Makoto) and something interested to say about newfound families and risk-tasking.

No pun intended - the movie is really funny. If you believe that there might be something after we die ... well the movie might be a ray of sunshine ... of sorts! Because of course it is not all roses and fun stuff. Actually it looks like even after death one has to prove oneself to say the least ... while it seems like fun stuff to do, I am not sure how many would want to be working so long after they are gone.

Many funny ideas, but also as crazy and out there as it is: predictable! If you have a weird mind perhaps, but still, I was able to guess where this was going to go. That said, it still is a lot of fun to watch. Acting is good all things considered - which includes a lot of silliness.

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.

It's been awhile since I watched such a fun horror comedy movie.

The movie is so good and funny. It reminded me of the old school hong kong horror movies.

The premise is interesting, the acting is good, and it is shot beautifully too. The cinematography, lighting, editing, all made it enjoyable.

I enjoyed all of the characters too. None of the characters are annoying or made useless. They all served their importance and part of the family.

I like the idea of the urban legend and how ghosts can still touch objects and need to ride a bus (lmao) to get into places.

Overall, such a fun movie and definitely worth a rewatch.

"Dead Talent Society" is not only incredibly humorous but also a thought-provoking comedy. It presents a concept where people, after death, seem to live once more and go through endless cycles of reincarnation. However, the essence of life remains unchanged. Even though one's lifestyle may differ after death, life's inherent frustrations remain constant. This invites deeper reflection on the nature of existence.

The collaboration between Gingle Wang and director John Hsu, which first caught my attention in their earlier work on Detention, has once again proven to be compelling. While Detention had a faster-paced rhythm and excelled in creating an immersive atmosphere-highlighting the director's skill in capturing actors' subtle expressions-Dead Talent Society demonstrates an even greater mastery of comedic timing. It adeptly balances humor and emotional depth, allowing certain viewers to engage in reflection on life while also catering to a wider audience. Although the story is set in a post-death world, it inevitably leads one to ponder a profound philosophical question: What is the purpose of life?

Sandrine Pinna's performance is particularly impressive, as she vividly portrays a character that embodies both frustration and affection. It's also worth mentioning that the relationships between characters are beautifully depicted, emphasizing the power of support and connection. Even the divide between life and death cannot sever these bonds. These heartwarming interactions bring a smile to the audience's face, adding depth to the story and making the characters even more endearing.

The film's world-building seems to offer ample room for further development. While I look forward to potential spin-offs or related works, I also worry that over-expansion might risk diluting the integrity of this fascinating universe.