Rigor Mortis (2013)

A public housing tenement is plunged into a dark storm of supernatural chaos.

Director:

Juno Mak

Writers:

Lai-Yin Leung (script) (as Jill Leung), Philip Yung (script)

Stars:

Anthony Chan, Siu-Ho Chin, Fat Chung

8 wins & 28 nominations.

Cast

Credited cast:
Anthony Chan	...	Yau (as Antony 'Friend' Chan)
Siu-Ho Chin	...	Chin Siu-Ho
Fat Chung	...	Gau
Chun-Man Ko	...	Feng's husband
Giselle Lam	...	Siu-Ho's Wife
Billy Lau	...	Cook
Hoi-Pang Lo	...	Uncle Yin
Richard Ng	...	Uncle Tung
Hee Ching Paw	...	Auntie Mui (as Nina Paw)
Kara Wai	...	Yeung Feng

Storyline

In this eerie and chilling, contemporary, action/special effects laden homage to the classic Chinese vampire movies of the 1980's, writer-director-producer, Juno Mak makes his feature directorial debut. Co-produced by J-Horror icon Takashi Shimizu, and reuniting some of the original cast members of the classic Mr. Vampire series, RIGOR MORTIS is set in a creepy and moody Hong Kong public housing tower whose occupants we soon discover, run the gamut from the living to the dead, to the undead, along with ghosts, vampires and zombies.

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Plot Keywords:

possession | haunted | shaman | supernatural fight | vampire | 

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Taglines:

The dead will rise (UK DVD, front)

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Genres:

Action | Horror

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Certificate:

Not Rated

Details

Official Sites:

Official site

Country:

Hong Kong

Language:

Cantonese

Release Date:

6 June 2014 (USA)

Also Known As:

Rigor Mortis

Box Office

Budget:

HKD 15,000,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend:

$603,742 (Hong Kong), 27 October 2013, Limited Release

Company Credits

Production Co:

Kudos Films

Technical Specs

Runtime:

103 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

The tall ghosts that cross the hallway carrying parasols are based on Chinese reapers. Three variations include: * A reaper that returns a soul 7 days after they die to home. They return the soul to their home to say goodbye to loved ones before being taken to hell. * Reapers that collect a lost soul that has wandered for 7 days. * A reaper on the hunt for wandering souls that they trap in their parasol. It is used as a net. This is where the superstition originates that you must not open one indoors should it contain a ghost.

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Goofs

At the end when he is shown hanging, the first shot shows him with his head tilted down and eyes closed. In the next shot, his face is tilted up and his eyes are open.

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Crazy Credits

The split-second image that pops up before the cast credits begin, is actually of the director, Juno Mak, who is sitting on seat 13.

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Connections

Features Twinkle Twinkle Lucky Stars (1985)

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Soundtracks

Spiritual Love
By Anders Nelsson (as Nelsson Anders Gustav)
Lyrics by Kok-Kong Cheng (as Cheng Kok Kong)

User Reviews

My Review Of "Rigor Mortis"

"Rigor Mortis" is Hong Kong's call-back to new resurgence of horror/fantasy. Billed as a feature film inspired by a popular the popular Vampire films of the 80's. this movie gives us a dark, wondrous nightmare. 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. The story is multi-layered with lives tangled in a hellish fate. There are elements of melodrama and gore that move in a wonderful ballet of emotion and carnage. I feel that the story works as a modern retelling of some ancient Chinese fable, the concepts and character development seem so complex and powerful that it just screams of morality wisdom from the past. 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.

The special effects and soundtrack utilized in "Rigor Mortis" is top notch. The sounds are creepy, often creating a dark atmosphere of desperation scene after scene. The sets where depressing, lifeless tombs of fading lives that would send chills up Takashi Shimizu and Clive Barker's backs. "Rigor Mortis" uses some pretty spectacular CGI and practical effects for the fantasy and horror elements. Epic visual moments weave into the film in true whimsical opulence while the blood soaked gore combined with the chilling horror scenes create a nightmare fantasy that captivates and entertains. 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. "Rigor Mortis" is Juno Mak's masterpiece and a must see film!