The undead have been shown across different cultures and through many forms of media for as long as stories have been shared. From tales of vampires rising from coffins to decaying corpses hunting the living, creatures like ghosts, zombies, and vampires have long been central to the horror genre.
Comedy was later mixed into this, creating a beloved subgenre. Horror comedies have become much more popular in recent years, with movies like Freaky, Bodies Bodies Bodies, and the Scary Movie series being some of the best-known examples.
But Dead Talents Society, by Taiwanese writer/director John Tsu (known for Detention) and co-writer Kun-Lin Tsai, stands out as one of the finest films in this category in recent memory, with the potential to become a cult classic.
Dead Talents Society focuses on the main character, a recently deceased teenager named Cho Hsiaole (played by Gingle Wang), as she learns how to manage her new life in the spirit world. But she’s struggling. Cho isn’t good at haunting, she doesn’t have a special skill like the other ghosts, and worst of all, she’s starting to glitch.
She’s told that if she doesn’t earn her “haunter’s license” soon, she will disappear forever and could face complete destruction. The ghost world is competitive, with targets to meet, such as scaring enough humans to reach “urban legend” status—a sign that a ghost has truly succeeded.
Cho starts working with Catherine (Sandrine Pinna), a top ghost, and her quirky mentor Makoto (Chen Bolin), a former idol. Together, they form an unusual team as Cho begins her 30-day countdown to scare humans and secure her place in the spirit realm.
Dead Talents Society: A Masterful Mix of Horror and Comedy
There’s intense drama as Catherine tries to reclaim her title as the top ghost, a position recently taken by her rival, Jessica (Eleven Yao). Meanwhile, Makoto hides his past as a once-famous heartthrob, and Cho struggles to find her signature scare to terrify the living.
Time is running out, chaos builds, and the tension rises humorously and delightfully. Catherine is known for scaring people in hotel room number 414 with her creepy contortionist moves, while her rival Jessica uses the internet to haunt people. As for Cho, she’s still trying to figure out how to frighten people.
Should she scare lone drivers on empty roads? Or maybe jump from a hotel roof to traumatize the people below? There’s plenty of blood and gore on Cho’s journey, but it’s all for fun—after all, she’s already dead.
Director John Tsu brings out the humor in his strange, made-up world, enjoying the silliness, which makes this one of the most fun horror comedies of recent times. The dedication of the cast and crew is clear, and this commitment is what makes the jokes and wild moments work so well throughout the movie.
It’s obvious that Dead Talents Society was a project that everyone involved enjoyed making, and their passion shines through on screen. The movie is smart, funny, and full of heart, which leads to a surprisingly touching final act, even with all the blood and jokes.
The Strong Cast and Crew of Dead Talents Society
The film is full of laugh-out-loud moments thanks to sharp writing and clever dialogue that keeps the story moving quickly. Some jokes come so fast that before one hits, another is already on its way. However, the humor wouldn’t be nearly as effective without the great performances from the cast.
Everyone in the ensemble does their part, giving their best to bring the characters to life and handling both the physical and dialogue-heavy parts of the movie. The film also shines with great cinematography by Yihsien Chou and original music by Joanna Wang, adding to the impressive technical side of the movie. It is as well-made as it is well-acted.
Tsu’s horror-comedy gives you the blood, gore, and shocking scenes you expect from a horror movie, but these are always followed by laughs. Beneath the funny jokes and slapstick humor, however, there is a deeper meaning to Dead Talents Society.
A passion project for everyone involved, there’s a lot of heart in the film’s message, which becomes clear once the screams fade and the blood is cleaned up. At its core, the film shows themes of finding oneself, dealing with loss and change, and the importance of chosen family.
While it may remind viewers of other satirical horror comedies, Dead Talents Society still stands out with its own unique charm.
Dead Talents Society is a horror-comedy film by Taiwanese writer/director John Tsu, featuring Cho Hsiaole, a recently deceased teen struggling to fit into the ghost world.
Cho must earn her “haunter’s license” within 30 days or face annihilation. However, she’s terrible at haunting, lacks a unique scare, and begins glitching. With help from the skilled ghost Catherine and her quirky mentor Makoto, Cho trains to become a fearsome spirit while time runs out.
The film is a delightful blend of horror and comedy, filled with blood, gore, and plenty of laughs. Catherine battles her rival Jessica for the title of top ghost, while Cho learns the ropes. With witty dialogue, clever writing, and stellar performances, the film moves quickly and entertains throughout.
Beyond the humor and thrills, the film shows themes of self-discovery, change, and the importance of found family, making it a unique and heartwarming addition to the horror-comedy genre.
And we’re lucky that it exists for us to enjoy! The film made its North American debut at the Toronto International Film Festival.
