It’s hard to talk about a film like RIGOR MORTIS without running the risk of spoiling it. I purposely went into it not knowing anything about the film, other than it was of the horror genre. This is director Juno Mak’s first feature film, but it had the look and feel of a movie that could be part of a popular franchise. Siu-Ho Chin (star of MR. VAMPIRE, which is a definite inspiration for this movie) cleverly plays himself as a washed up actor that moves into a run down apartment building. Struggling with grief, he wants only to commit suicide, but while trying to carry out the act something strange happens. Chin is briefly possessed by evil spirits, but one of the building’s long term tenants Uncle Yau (Anthony Chan Yau, also from MR. VAMPIRE) scares away the invading forces. From here Chin begins to discover some freaky things in the building, like a homeless woman with a child who eat the food left outside his door, a strange doctor who holds his own secrets, and an old woman who unintentionally creates a monster out of her beloved husband. Soon we’re dealing with demonic spirits, zombie-like creatures, and vampiric acts… oh, and some supernatural kung fu fighting.
RIGOR MORTIS draws inspiration from a lot of what we’ve seen before in horror films, but it makes it work and keeps things interesting. Just when you think you’ve got it all figured out it throws you a curve ball. One thing I appreciated was how bold some of the scenes were, taking chances you don’t often see in horror films… let’s just say no one, and I mean no one, is safe here. There’s also some effective creepiness in the movie, the kind of imagery that stays with you, such as the way the evil demon forces are depicted (a subtle homage to THE SHINING).
Perhaps the greatest thing about the film is you can’t classify it as any one type of horror. The screenplay, by Lai-yin Leung and Philip Yung, does a nice job paying tribute to some of the more classic Hong Kong horror films, and manages to fit in more than a few surprises here and there. Siu-Ho Chin is quite good playing the strong silent type here, but I found Anthony Chan Yau to be the real treat of the cast. Hee Ching Paw and Richard Ng also have some terrific moments as an elderly couple you fall in love with almost instantly, then feel horrible for as the film goes on. Some people have compared the style of the movie to things like KUNG FU HUSTLE (yes, I’m serious) or THE GRUDGE, and while I can understand seeing some of those films in this, the overall presentation just feels like a crazy experiment that works time and time again. It’s also nice to see a film that doesn’t try to be a chapter in a bigger story, but rather keeps the story contained. The ending is very satisfying and in many ways perfect. If you’re a fan of Hong Kong horror, or just horror movies in general, check out the sick fun that is RIGOR MORTIS.
Born and raised in Dallas, Mark has been a movie critic since 1994, with reviews featured in print, radio and National TV. In 2001 he started the Entertainment section of the Herorealm website, where he contributed film reviews and celebrity interviews until 2004. After three years of service there, he started Bigfanboy.com, which has become one of the Dallas film community's leading information websites. Bigfanboy hosts several movie screenings in the Texas area, and works closely with film and TV studios and promotional partners to host exciting events and contests. The site also features a variety of rare celebrity and filmmaker interviews, and Bigfanboy.com regularly covers the film festival circuit as well. In addition to Hollywood reporting, Mark has worked for many years as an advertising and sci-fi/comic book artist. Clients have included Lucasfilm Ltd., Topps Trading Cards, The Dallas Mavericks and The Dallas Stars. From 2002 until 2015 he managed the Dallas Comic Con, Sci-Fi Expo and Fan Days events in the DFW area. He currently catalogs rare comic books and movie memorabilia for Heritage Auctions, and runs the Dallas Comic Show conventions, but remains an avid moviegoer and cinema buff. 
