A Horror Film With Fate as the Antagonist | Video Essay

[@Moonstone-Redux]

Turns out the true horror lies in society and its people who are not willing to see rehabilitation work, but rather satiate their own dark desires for revenge.

[@jumpvelocity3953]

Not revenge, justice.

[@taionalmeida5337]

Not Justice, punishing

[@blueorchid9455]

Sometimes, but i think most times is fear, and misguided anger. We don't think change can happen because rarely do we change. I think this is a good point of the movie overall, only I would not apply it to the sister. I believe in rehabilitation and in changing (after one has gone through the process of being sentenced and doing the proper years), but I do not believe that is something to hold responsible unto the victims. I don't thing one deserves a mandatory "acceptence of apology", or a mend relationship with the victim when one seeks it (examples like in a family), when there is a clear victim aggressor dynamic, the victim does not ever owes anything to the aggressor, and should never be responsible of that change the aggressor goes through. After all still when change is possible, one must be ready to accept the consequences of their actions to begin with.

[@bdbgh]

"An exercise to soften the heart", I think a lot of people needs this at some level

[@AyubuKK]

Movies about existential fears of “fate” or “destiny” can be really amazing but they have to be written very well.

[@earthbound9999]

I mean ideally that's the case with most movies lmao

[@goruu]

Movies about Anything can be really amazing but they have to be written very well.

[@jaysboredman]

Bullet train!

[@boy638]

Movies about *insert any topic* can be really amazing but they have to be written very well.

[@jumpvelocity3953]

No Country For Old Men

[@Vieyram]

I remember learning in a psychology class that the expectations of a teacher are a major factor on how well that student does in the class. If a teacher treats a student as if they are unintelligent or poorly behaved the student will often meet those expectations resulting in a sort of self fulfilling prophecy. (Pygmalion/ Rosenthal effect)

[@recoil53]

“We are each our own devil, and we make this world our hell.” Oscar Wilde

[@user-ix7rj3pc7r]

I am not surprised about this. You can really tell the difference between a teacher who believes in their students and ones who don't sometimes on performance. With myself personally I have always excelled in classes where the teacher has believed in me and given that encouragement/support. However, with teachers who expect the worst of you it's like fighting an uphill battle. It gets to the point where even if the student tried their hardest they eventually give up as the odds are too largely stacked against them.

[@RadicalFloat_95]

​@@user-ix7rj3pc7rl actually agree with you and you actually couldn't have said that actually any better than me.

[@jeffersonderrickson5371]

That edit to hydraulic press was the most Red Letter Media cut I have seen. I loved it.

[@sunni.potatoes5959]

I'm assuming/desperately hoping that there's a happy ending to this film. I don't think I'd be comfortable watching it myself. But this makes me think of recent Hollywood movies that fuse mental illness with horror. Most of those movies portray mental illness as inescapable (depression and self-harm) or unrealistically dangerous (DID). It's extremely upsetting for those of us who deal with these issues every day, to be told that there's no hope or to have other people be afraid of you instead of trying to understand you. So props to Hong Kong for this unique and insightful plot. I hope that Western films can someday follow its example and show more love to people struggling with mental illness.

[@pglagowski]

I won’t spoil the ending for you, but Mad Fate does end with an uplifting message.

[@JadonYip]

Ngl, not to spoil the party but this movie does not do a good representation of mentally ill people. Some parts of it are even extremely stereotypical to a point where its kinda funny. Not saying the movie is bad, its decent, and I personally really liked the ending, but yeah its definitely M. night shymalan Split levels of stereotyping mentally ill people.

[@Schneekardinal]

This is my favorite film of 2023 but it is also the worst piece of neurodivergent representation I have seen in a long time.

[@avery4149]

I think this movie also touches on the idea of religion and beliefs, and how a lot of people always misinterpret it as receiving rewards if we are “good” people, instead of doing “goods” or trying to be “good” for its intrinsic value, and god is just giving us enough nudge for us ourselves to make that change.

[@jordanetherington1922]

Yes. Whether you will or won't go to Heaven shouldn't enter your mind when doing good deeds.

[@CliosPaintingBench]

Always look forward to a new Accented Cinema video, nice to get a Hong Kong horror twist

[@nightmayor6114]

2 days ago I read Title of your video and decided to watch the movie first and now it's 12AM, I just finished this movie and I'm at loss of words. The extended shots of characters showing their slow descent into madness are truly haunting. As an indian I understand Master's rock hard belief in astrology and religious symbols and in fate. Idk about others but all asians will certainly feel a dreading and almost silent horror in their mind while watching this. In the end Master's quote sums it all up "Path may be set, but we can choose how to walk it".

[@PanicRamsay]

Was able to to catch this in theatres. With this and Limbo, Soi Cheang has been killing it lately.

[@dennischen5367]

Lam Ka-tung at the forefront of both films too.

[@maestro3947-b9g]

Recently i started to learn about Tao with Taiwanese friends. Their religious view is mostly what you describe in this video. It greatly contrasts to what i learned as religion while being raised as a catholic...

[@TheAtlasReview]

It's a shame that there aren't many adaptations of Greek mythology at the moment. The battle against the fates is a big theme for many characters, even the gods.

[@ArchOfWinter]

I don't often suggest a Westernized adaptation, but I think with how punitive and non-rehabilitative the US justice system is and the lack of mental health support in general, the premise might work well in the US. Nature vs. Nurture. Societal ostracized vs. societal support. Damnation vs. forgiveness in Western religions. These topic isn't as well explored in cinema enough.

[@somethingcleverhere]

At least as a thriller like this was, I don't think an adaptation of this one would work since it relies heavily on ticking clock scenarios. There's certainly something to the idea though.

[@itatube7594]

nah. watch it first. this is just an average movie. final destination 1 is way way more better than this is. and this movie has nothing to do with fate. its more about how powerful chinese religion are than western.@@somethingcleverhere

[@JadonYip]

Yea, I don't think it will adapt well because it relies heavily on chinese mythology, feng shui, buddhist and taoist ideas for a lot of its premises. I guess using a mix of catholic mysticism and gypsy fortune-telling might work but I still think it would be drastically different. On the point about the themes, I do think there has been a lot of stories about this tho, I mean heck every villain nowadays have to have a sad backstory that explains how society has outcasted them (think Joker) so I don't really think its that special of a topic to begin with.

[@itatube7594]

@@JadonYip exactly and this person (whoever runs this channel) seems like on a mission to glorify Chinese religion.

[@recoil53]

@@itatube7594 Informing and glorifying are different things. Without knowing the perceptive of the target audience you don't fully understand the movie. Don't be so sensitive about being educated in new things.

[@joshchu]

Thanks man, now after witnessing that shaman's greatest fear, I was reintroduced to the fear of inherent illness, harder, rawer than Hereditary.

[@Huedra.]

Love your editing.

[@JT-xn9ei]

As always, thanks for showcasing films outside my interests. Hopefully I'm capable of gaining insight from it once there is an opportunity to watch it. Personally struggling with how feelings of obligations dictate my life, alongside the contradictions between principles, thoughts, words and actions.

[@williamwong1982]

I’ve been binging the films of Soi Cheang recently and he’s fast becoming my favourite HK filmmaker of the 21st century. The guy is has such an uncompromising and consistent vision.

[@kamitra]

This video helped soften my heart as well. Thank you.

[@colores7244]

Amazing video, and the narration is pure poetry. Thank u so much❤

[@HoangMinh-pb7gd]

All the rituals remind me of the Chinese Vampire/Jiangsi genre. They're horror but fun nonetheless, if you can please make a analyzing video of Rigor Mortis-this movie tribute to the Jiangsi genre but without the fun part, nearly pure horror. Thanks for the content, always been your fan.

[@anmoldalal16]

This story it is truly a cosmic horror master piece. The length of the film had me wondering why did they not make a tighter edit. The acting was really good. Especially by the lead characters.

[@JohnSmith-us9fv]

This was very insightful, thank you ❤😊

[@kirilvalkov257]

Enjoying your video essays, good sir, quite spot on, and always informative, keep 'em coming! Much respect and greetings from a Bulgarian fan!

[@randomguy-lp4zy]

thank you so much for introducing this movie to me mate. probably the best movie I've seen all year.

[@elucified]

Thank you for the recommendation!! Will have to keep an eye out for it on the theatre listings!!

[@chrisdiokno5600]

Speaking of, there is Feng Shui and its sequel, a Filipino horror movie series involving a cursed bagua

[@KMO325]

Ever since Jordan Peele, I need a certain type of horror film. This fits my type.

[@Kncperseus]

As an Indian, please allow me to clarify: "Karma" is an incomplete term. The proper word is "Karmafala" "Karma" means Action. "Fala" is Reaction. "Karmafala" thus refers to "Action-Reaction" - and is quite similar to the Chinese idea of "Virtue-Luck" stated above. "Karma" is nothing but the Americanized bastardization of the proper term. Saying someone has good/bad "karma" makes no goddamn sense.

[@taylordiclemente5163]

This American thanks you for the simple explanation!

[@r01d2]

Hong Kong movie maker never disappoint me, their character always never simple but in novel ways, like the exorcist is not just a person with spiritual but they have mental issue and their parents are schizo.

[@moiroh9700]

The true horror is that i can't find this film

[@gilbertginting9277]

For real😂

[@pglagowski]

I reviewed this as part of NYAFF this year. I thought it was good, just maybe a bit heavy handed with some of its symbolism. Some of your points have given me a new perspective, though.

[@JadonYip]

Wow, glad you talked about this film. These few years have been some sort of renaissance for the Hong Kong film industry, and this film is probably one of the better Hong Kong film of this era. However, I still think compared to Hollywood it is quite lacking. I found the music choices, cgi, lighting, even the dialogue sometimes to be quite amateurish (I think Limbo directly by the same director is a better film overall). I also personally found its portrayal of mentally ill people to be stereotypical, sometimes even comically theatrical. However, the inventive concept of the story, the great ending, and the fantastic acting of Gordon lam (hes been on a tear these few years) still make it a worthwhile watch. Honestly, there are better Hong Kong films these few years and I hope you can cover more of them! For starters, i think Hand Rolled Cigarette, Table for Six, The Narrow Road are some of my personal favs - but so far the best one is (this one just came out a while ago) In Broad Daylight, this one i think you'll love!

[@danielvictor3262]

This is probably one of the best films that came out in the decade for me

[@Chib_chan]

Just found this channel subscribed !!!!

[@zlee824]

Oh man, I want to watch this badly now. I've been craving for a decent HK movie for a long time now. I hope MUBI will add this to their list.

[@caden-reynolds]

Ayo the aesthetic of these titles and transitions are sooooo fire

[@wadejohnston4305]

I'm sorry but I can't help but crack up anytime a movie uses the male or female version of the Wilhelm scream in their movies😂. But the rest of it was great and I never would have watched it if not for this channel. I've been hesitant to dive into Chinese movies because the ones I've seen in the past were just...so fucking bad 😂 but you've provided me with a bunch of great ones to watch

[@igodreamer7096]

Yang once again opening my eyes to good movies, and good (but mostly superficial takes on it) concepts! ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

[@mofo78536]

I like how the video blended with hacker new's background while browsing when the square space ad popped up. I wonder if youtube would ever support transparent videos.

[@johannesplanko5800]

I love every one of your videos, they are great, analyzing great movies. In regard to fate.. Fate is what is, but what is can be changed by anyone at anytime.

[@krisnadexter]

Ooh this is interesting, because I know a person that practices Feng shui. When he was sick one of the thing he did is rearranging the room. This reminds me of him.

[@Crylar44]

This was great! Thank you ^^

[@pdzombie1906]

Great recomendation!!! Thanx!!!

[@jofellxcite]

There’s a Filipino movie literally entitled Feng Shui. And yes it’s a horror movie with fate as the antagonist.

[@yenmeng]

Watched this on the plane recently, amazing

[@Dbzlatino27]

If the movie is handling the so called destiny/fate/luck/god /karma or whatever people name it like something that actually is not real and actually depends on people the amount of possibilities that we have is an very tricky and dangerous path that is taking on, to me the reality is that even if in life we have many things we are capable of change by our own will there are many of them that are not possible to, people use to put those so called "forces" many names and tries to find some kind of explanation to something that is not in under control, misfortunes and all that. if were so easy like just depending on us what rest to our present and future most people wouldn't be suffering so many disgraces but yeah i mean even then is an interesting approach the one of this movie.

[@sumonedum]

Chinese-Canadian movie man is best youtuber.

[@jasonblalock4429]

Man, I want to watch this now, but it looks like it hasn't gotten any sort of home release in English (yet?). Hopefully it comes to streaming sooner or later. Thanks for the recommendation tho, either way.

[@pakuma3]

The HPC bit was hilarious! 😂

[@ak-ub1ym]

This is why I love a good psych eastern horror movies that doesn't make things like good & evil under Black and white but in a grey zone. Not those which use it as tool for violence for gore's sake alone , those movies are just plain annoying to watch. Which is the case in western horror movies where the premise exists just to gratify the gore. Don't expect western adaptation to catch the same nuances or complex morality without diluting for their audiences since eastern religions are more centred in the individual and balance. But western religion like Christanity aren't bound in balance or individual but in community & they are bound by actions rooted in Black or white with no redemption for the person and one sin or mistake is enough to condemn a person to their worst fate.

[@ahmadfitri7976]

Before it happen, it's a choice. After it happened, then it became fate. Humans are not fated to doomed ourselves rather we doomed ourselves by a set of choices. But reality is that when we choose, some of our choices lead to bad.

[@ahmadfitri7976]

Lead to bad outcomes, and many choose to be a coward and blames fate for their wrongdoings, which is pathetic.

[@utkarsh2746]

​@@ahmadfitri7976Try reading about causal determinism. It is incredible hubris to imagine that in a universe that is so incomprehensibly vast an individual human can just make independent choices.

[@kirbymarchbarcena]

This video is just all about half of the movie? Oh,man, so much more to dissect

[@ivy4360]

Great video as always, btw can you make a video on The Wandering Earth 2 or Shenhai? I know its bit late, but still would love to see your analysis on them.

[@108u9]

@Accentedcinema Suggestion to do a look at ‘I’m Livin’ It’. Maybe in the context of other good social realism films from HK/Asia? ILI has a lot of heart. Some plot points are a bit weak (could be more compelling and logical only because being so is distracting, kinda removes you from empathising with the plight of the characters) but the performances by the main and supporting cast is really good. I also like the ending. Not wholly unexpected but also I think it took guts not to veer into a fairytale ending to sanitise the subject matter. Btw it’s based on a real life phenomenon, which makes it hit closer to heart 😢

[@bryanperdomo1283]

anyone knows where I can get subtitles for this movie? somehow managed to get it but I need subtitles :^(

[@alenmess5469]

Feng shui is also a Filipino horror movie that deals with faith also since the deaths are based on what zodiac sign are they born

[@supastrikaaa]

where can I watch this? it's not on Netflix or Amazon or even Mubi

[@hotdogperson42thechannel41]

Best sponsor segway in years, imo

[@ryant8162]

Great video as usual. But damn, what's with the audio?

[@johndoe4004]

gonna be honest i felt like ive learned this through reading a xianxia novel but now its being told to me in more straightforward way

[@amuria55]

... I can't find this movie anywhere.

[@MarkPag]

Hi. Very good video. Do you believe the dark atmosphere of Hong Kong in this movie can be a parallel to how actually the city lives the pushes of Mainland China?

[@yuhyi0122]

fighting against fate.. damn... I should look for novel with this theme

[@tedborne]

hey maybe you could help me, do u know a detective thriller movie verry Korean cinema style made in HK on the early 2000's late 90's? i've seen it once on netflix and it was taken out and i've searching for this movie for so long but just can't find it, can't remember the name. But it was such an amazing filme. Really reminded me of the Mmemries of muder by Bong Joon-ho with it's vibe, verry rainy, small industrialized town

[@tedborne]

it was a serial killer story

[@tryomama]

I need to know if its a good or bad ending

[@yanatiersen7333]

On what platforms this movie is available?? Cannot find it

[@rnalonto]

*SUGESSTION:* "Feng Shui" (2004) from the Philippines...

[@team56th]

Oh shit this is a Johnnie To production?! I gotta find this...

[@deogiriyadav8399]

Have u ever heard about..... Sardar udham.... Movie????

[@deogiriyadav8399]

No reply

[@deogiriyadav8399]

No reply

[@Gfriend_Buddy99]

So that's its all about...My parents sold birds for the chinese (buddhist? Taoist?)... They said, they need those birds to pray...

[@chaikohmin]

Watched this last month. Nice

[@Cha1rman_Me0w]

nice vids!

[@goranisacson2502]

Movie about fate, but instead of a nebulous Final Destination kind of Grim Reaper-ghost who WILL make you behave one way or another it's whether you can escape genetics and the expectations of the people around you... that does sound interesting, and as long as it doesn't go too deep into mysticism except as a method the main character uses to compartmentalize what is happening and sort of create a mental model for how they deal with their situation (I.e it's not that Feng Shui is ACTUAl magic but it's just that they believe in it so hard to becomes a sort of placebo effect that helps them in real life), I think I could be interested in watching this movie.

[@gunargundarson1626]

I wonder what’s the final destination for a fate-like antagonist? 😅

[@archbishopmactasty76]

I wanted to watch this but this movie sounds to cool to not give it a watch before i spoil myself.

[@oku12]

We as people have to play a more active role in how we create and foster society. Don't let the "elite" convince you that you have no power.

[@lewa3910]

Excellent movie recommendation

[@beckyginger3432]

Excellent segue 😂

[@bornanagaming3329]

Please do Feng Shui (2004) its a filipino horror film about fate thats actually pretty good

[@rmalicdem2875]

Can someone spoil it for me?

[@jujuplayboy]

I love the Final Destination movies, they have a great way to deal with anticipation, but I have to agree their death scenes have become more and more grotesque movie after movie. Having death or fate as an antagonist is always great, I need more of those movies. So thank you for recommending Mad Fate, I'll definitely watch it.

[@vomitthunder]

if the 3rd act of this film treated better I think this will be the most creatively good Hong Kong film these past few years

[@KhanhNguyen-yv6lx]

Yay, another quality movies to search and enjoy!!!!!!!

[@nazrin-7515]

Accented Cinema video at 6am instead of 10pm? Weird but OK

[@AccentedCinema]

I totally just didn't over sleep.

[@sususegar]

Gordon Lam has always appeared to me as someone who plays mental characters best. I don't remember his other movies' names but I remember seeing him play those roles really well while growing up. If not someone with mental issues, then someone with questionable morals, which he also played in Ip Man.

[@abhijeetsinghrathore2276]

banger analysis

[@enzhongwang8542]

I was first and everyone who says otherwise is objectively wrong

[@AaronSam]

NUH UH

[@enzhongwang8542]

@@AaronSam loser

[@enzhongwang8542]

@@AaronSam L ratio bozo

[@robbywijaya88]

Watched it months ago, rated it 6/10 didn't plan to watch it again.

[@Geldnir]

wonder of u reference

[@TheBeird]

Looks interesting

[@TheJayman213]

I think the idea of evil is rather criticized in both Buddhism and Taoism.

[@CiceroSpeaketh]

Karma is not Buddhist. It's dharmic. All dharmic beliefs have heavy emphasis on karma.

[@bharadwajkrishnan2860]

This video essay is too deep

[@SaretGnasoh]

so deep

[@Jennifer21133]

🌹🌹🌹

[@taionalmeida5337]

When people say "oh there's no more such thing as original stories" I can only presume they Just didn't research enoght. What a concept for a script. I guess I'll have some dificulty to find this one but I Will try, oh I Will!

[@navarone4031]

Jojo part 5

[@mellow-jello]

I will be contrarian in the convo, and rate it meh. Not really engaging are the characters, though it does bring a lot of superstitious Chinese lore not scene before, so merit for originality is deserved.

[@TheMasterofComment]

Starts off well enough drags by the end. Decent ending. Good concepts still

[@mysteryguitarhaziq]

first

[@TayTeeAyWhy]

First