John Hsu’s Dead Talents Society is a raucous horror comedy that may have some familiar beats but arranges them in a fresh and engaging manner. The early favourite for the Midnight Madness award winner features a delightful cast and well-choreographed action that should keep crowds laughing throughout.
A newly deceased teen, credited only as ‘The Rookie’ (Gingle Wang), and her undead friend Camilla (Ching-i Pai) linger listlessly through their undead existence, slackers in both life and death. But when they learn that The Rookie only has 30 days before disappearing, they aim to become licensed haunters, thus allowing them to stay eternally. After a disastrous audition, Makoto (Bo-Lin Chen) approaches them. Heoffers them an opportunity to learn under the former best in the game, Miss Catherine (Sandrine Pinna). Having been usurped by her former protege Jessica (Yi Ti Yao), a spiteful spirit intent on global recognition, Catherine is determined not to allow anyone new into her tight-knit circle. But eventually the group meshes and starts to build a dysfunctional family.
The strength of Hsu’s Dead Talents Society comes from a smart script that delivers laughs nonstop and an excellent cast. Dead Talents Society feels a little like Hsu took Shin’ichiro Ueda’s Special Actors, gave it a supernatural twist, and then plopped the two leads from Yugo Sakamoto’s Baby Assassins series in the middle of that. And I mean that in the greatest way because the film delivers in all ways possible, and delivers a thoroughly enjoyable treat.
- Rated: NC16
- Genre: Comedy, Horror, Horror Comedy
- Release Date: 9/7/2024
- Directed by: John Hsu
- Starring: Bai Bai, Bo-Lin Chen, Ching-i Pai, Gingle Wang, Sandrine Pinna, Soso Tseng, Yi Ti Tao
- Produced by: Aileen Li, Ivy Chen, Lieh Lee
- Written by: John Hsu, Kun-Lin Tsai
- Studio: Activator Co. Ltd, Sony Pictures Entertainment
