Rigor Mortis (2013)

Touches You

Tells a fascinating and unsettling true story, and does so well, without pretending to have all the answers.

Good films always raise compelling questions, whether the format is fiction or documentary fact.

A great movie, one of the best of this year. There was a bit of confusion at one point in the plot, but nothing serious.

At first, I wasn't clear about what happened at the start, then, clarity formed closer to the end of the movie when parts of the plot started tying up, and finally, got confused again by the ending. I must confess that I initially thought the ending botched the entire movie, sort of anti-climatic (much like The Myth, when Jackie Chan refused to acknowledged his past, making the entire movie a scam)Then, I started reading about the main actor (Chin Siu-Ho's) real-life issues, and using his issues, relooked at the movie in its entirety, and finally, I understood the movie and how it ended. Bear in mind, that my interpretation is perhaps but 1 perspective of the movie. Someone else could have a different view. However, I must say that this movie is complicated so much so that anyone who goes to watch this without (1) an understanding of Chinese folklore, (2) understanding that the actor is acting as himself and (3) understanding a bit of the actor's past, may think the movie is really bad and would give a bad rating on IMDb.All said, here's my SPOILER ALERT. I will be commenting on the ending now.The ending seems to be an alternate reality, where every character has a different path, and the main lead died by hanging, without any ghosts, or vampires appearing. It seems pretty mundane, death is also mundane (no great sacrifice, no dying with a cause). And yet, that's where the gist of the ending is. Whereas in the 1st death, where the lead lay dying after a major combat with the vampire-ghost, the final scene was just a boring "he hung himself" When you looked into the real-life history of the main actor, he had issues, he was a rather successful actor in his hey-day, when vampire movies were extremely popular, and he had lots of movies to work on. Later, as interest in vampire movies die down, he began to have less work, having to work backstage, his career going downhill, and also his divorce with his wife. Chinese have a saying, that "Real-life is like a movie, and movie is like real-life", thus they can become murky and muddled up for an actor. The movie thus, in my view, is deliberately murky and muddled, with the majority of the movie reflecting upon the movie aspect of the actor's life, and the ending reflecting upon the real-life aspect of the actor's life, that despite how a movie can be dramatic, life is just mundane. Also, that the movie-aspect and the mundane-aspect of the movie seemingly happening at the same time (both started with his moving into the apartment, and both ending with him dying) reflects upon the double life an actor lives (the movie aspect, and the real-life aspect) In the end, his 1st death may be representative of his wanting to leave showbiz on a high note, and his final ending death may be representative of his willingness to accept reality, that leaving on a high note will not happen, and to let go of his past and look towards the future. I view the final scene, when his son came to identify his body, as a representation that he is putting his past to rest, and embracing his future with his family. Anyway, that's my interpretation. All in all, a movie with complexity, not just a pure horror movie. Quite a good one in my opinion, so 8/10 for me.

Rigor Mortis is not a horror movie that is eager to scare the pants out of people. As what the trailer suggests, it is a moody atmospheric horror movie that is borderline art-house. What may surprise audience is that it actually takes its time to develop the story.The story: It is quite straight-forward. A man moves into a spooky apartment in a 'washed- out' building. It is expected as spirits inhabit the apartment and things happen. Hold on before you think this will turn into a thrilling and scary ride. In fact, this favours slow-burning thrills and pace. It doesn't move in a break-neck pace but strangely the slow-burning pace will urge you to find out more. It builds up to a visually stunning climax where a fight with the vampire ensues. The stylish effects including the slo-mo and a few brief fight scenes enhance the movie, adding a flavour to it. The moody atmosphere of the movie is commendable.Overall: It is commendable that this breaks away from the other horror movies. Instead it is a bleak but stylish horror movie with a slower pace. Watch this movie without thinking too much and let the story reveal its truth in its own style. http://moreviewsed.blogspot.sg

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.

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. I was definitely attracted by the trailer.This is the most seriously produced Chinese Vampire story I have ever seen. I like how they put Vampire and Ghost together. It also grabs the sense how its like when they are hunting you down. The movie has a very nice visual; the shots are beautiful.However, the plot is kind of slow and unclear. It takes about 30 minutes to lineup the story, and the beautiful shots kind of slow it down. Once it gets to the transforming/fighting part, it is all good.A few things not making sense. Why the father/private tutor suddenly wanted to raped one of the twins while the environment was not secured? Why all the sudden Chin Siu-Hou became a hero like character and fight? What does Cheap Chan's plate do indeed after it was filled with blood?