“Dead Talents Society”

Co-writer and director John Hsu’s “Dead Talents Society” is a refreshingly inventive blend of horror, comedy, and heartfelt drama that breathes new life into the ghost story genre. With its clever twist on traditional horror tropes and a vibrant exploration of East Asian folklore, the film emerges as a wildly inventive, imaginative, bloody, and fun celebration of both the supernatural and the absurd. From the story to the cast to the costumes to the direction, I dug just about everything this movie has to offer.

The film’s fantastical setting, quirky characters, and plot pay homage to “Beetlejuice,” where ghosts must earn their keep by terrifying the living. In order to maintain their existence in the afterlife, the deceased must obtain a “haunter’s license” or face eternal oblivion when they completely disappear into thin air. When newly dead teenager Cho (Gingle Wang) discovers that she only has a 30 day deadline to secure this document, her world is turned into one of complete chaos. With help from her undead best friend (Ching-i Pai) and a couple of old-timers who are well-versed in the art of the scare, Cho learns the ropes of the afterlife.

The heart of the film comes from a dynamic cast of characters, including a charismatic ghost talent agent (Bo-lin Chen) and a former superstar phantom diva (Sandrine Pinna), who lead a ragtag group of misfit haunters. The chemistry between these characters fuels much of the movie’s charm, and the more desperate their efforts are to scare up terror within the living, the funnier things get. These are people you want to spend time with (or at least get haunted by). The cast plays so well off each other too, each tackling their role with complete sincerity. The tone isn’t over-the-top goofy, but grounded with a touching story about friendship, family, identity, and the very human desire to be remembered.

Hsu clearly has an affection for the genre, which makes his witty satire of horror conventions work so well. This is a very funny movie that trades in more intense scares for a more playful take on supernatural themes. Hsu skewers horror tropes while infusing his film with a fresh, creative perspective, creating a project that lovingly mocks its genre even as it pays homage to it. The film also incorporates Taiwanese urban legends into the story line, which adds an authentic cultural layer that enriches the narrative with folklore. I’ve never seen anything so ambitious come together quite as well as this, which is why it feels so exciting.

Hsu’s visual style is well-versed in both horror aesthetics and comedic timing. Stylish and vibrant, the set design and special effects are crafted to reflect the whimsical as well as the eerie nature of a modern day ghost story. The humor is consistently funny, with sharp dialogue and a parade of increasingly amusing spooky scenarios that are balanced with sincere, heartfelt moments. The emotions here are genuine, with touching scenes working in tandem with the parts that are laugh-out-loud funny.

With its engaging characters, witty script, vibrant direction, and supernatural shenanigans, everything about “Dead Talents Society” is absurdly clever. Horror fans, don’t miss this one.

By: Louisa Moore