Rigor Mortis

This stylish directorial debut by actor Juno Mak was inspired by cult films in the Jiangshi genre: Cantonese folklore about Taoist priests raising the dead, who manifest as zombies or vampires. In the 1980s, these stories were made into what are now classics of Hong Kong cinema, such as Mr. Vampire (Ricky Lau, 1985). Mak reinforces the link by casting several actors from that film.
In Rigor Mortis, a grieving film star moves into a flat in a social housing block, where he intends to take his own life. It goes otherwise: he is saved and discovers how mysterious forces have the building and its inhabitants in their grip – particularly when the body of a recently deceased resident is used in a supernatural struggle.
This dark, immaculate drama was coproduced by J-Horror icon Shimizu Takashi. Rigor Mortis does not depend on shock, but by using gruesome sets and special effects, Mak cleverly creates a general sense of unease.

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