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

6 wins & 23 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:

vampire | directorial debut | hong kong | ghost | blond boy | 

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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

Each ghost in the film is based on a mythological Chinese ghost: * The actor is a diao si gui, a lost soul who wanders aimlessly after a suicide by hanging. * The old man is a jiangshi, a vampire ghost. * The old woman is a gui po, a ghost who means well and wants to help but can take her methods too far. * The twins are nu gui, vengeful spirits after suffering sexual assault and suicide. * The mother is a di fu ling, a ghost eternally bound to a location that drove her to suicide.

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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

References The Shining (1980)

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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

A ghost movie with a lasting impression...

For way too long have Korea, Thailand and Japan dominated the Asian market as far as ghost movies go. And it is really, really nice to see Hong Kong make a mark for itself in the ghost genre. Director Juno Mak has really managed to put together a really unique movie here.

Unlike other Asian ghost movies, then this is not a stereotypical ghost movie with a dead girl in a white dress and having her long, black hair covering her face. No, this is way beyond that. Sure it has that element as well, but it just takes it to the next step. And as if that isn't enough, then "Rigor Mortis" also throws in the element of the Chinese vampire mythology into the mix. Odd? Perhaps. Does it work? Oh yeah it does!

"Rigor Mortis" is a very visual and graphic movie, which is rather unlike most Asian ghost movies, and it is a much needed and most welcomed contribution to the genre.

However, a word of warning, "Rigor Mortis" is not just for everyone, especially not if you are set in the way of the traditional Asian ghost movies. 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. Why? Well, because the CGI effects were realistic and came off a believable, and really helped augment the story and the flow of the movie. And it was nice to see some Asian ghost aside from that stereotypical girl in white dress with her hair covering her entire face.

If you enjoy Asian horror movies, or perhaps ghost movies in particular, then you should without a doubt take a look at Juno Mak's movie, because it is rather amazing. Great entertainment, good story, nice effects and a great change of pace in this particular genre.