DEAD TALENTS SOCIETY

(director/writer: John Hsu; screenwriter: Kun-Lin Tsai; cinematographer: Chou Yi-Hsien; editors: Shieh Meng-Ju/Wawa Chiang; music: Luming Lu; cast: Bo-Lin Chen (Makoto), Sandrinne Pinna (Catherine), Gingle Wang (Cho, The Rookie), Ching-i-Pai (Cho’s best friend), Yao Yi Ti (Jessica), Zach Ireland (Rogan), Bai Bai (Camilla); Runtime: 105; MPAA Rating: NR; producers: Lieh Lee, Aileen Li, Ivy Chen; Sony International; 2024-Taiwan-in Chinese with English subtitles)

“A well-crafted supernatural horror/comedy.”

Reviewed by Dennis Schwartz

A well-crafted supernatural horror/comedy that includes material on East Asian folklore and Urban Legends as scare mongers. It’s directed and written as an afterlife fantasy romp by Taiwanese filmmaker John Hsu (“Detention”) and co-written by Kun-Lin Tsai.


It tells the story of the meek teen-aged female ghost, known as The Rookie (Gingle Wang), who digs hanging out with her undead pal, Camilla (Bai Bai). But a visit to her family puts a damper on things, as she can only exists if her family remembers her. Her family misplaces her Certificate of Merit, and there are other indications the end of her existence is coming to an end for the young ghost if she does not create her own urban legend scares.

The supernatural community calls her a loser. However, the eccentric Makoto (Bo-Lin Chen) takes The Rookie and Camilla under his wing, while assisting his boss, Catherine (Sandrine Pnna), by adding some new scares to her repertoire.

The bedazzled pic scores with misfits and losers as a unique ghost film that salutes all those who struggle to succeed in what makes them so special.

It played at the Toronto International Film Festival.

REVIEWED ON 11/8/2024  GRADE: B-
dennisschwartzreviews.com