Daniel (Lawrence Kao) is down on his luck. In Manadarin “ba” can refer to both father and dad and that he is for his 8-year-old daughter Collette (Kai Cech). Daniel and Collette are living an extremely penurious “living in his car” existence.
During this “camping car adventure” Daniel discovers a wooden box in a bag left in a car park containing a large wad of $50 bills but far less than would be required to afford the life he wants to give Collette. The catch of this lost and found is contained in a note in the wooden box stating, “Upon acquisition of this payment you agree to the eternal profession”. A sharp eye will detect the word “reaper” on the paper band wrapped around a paltry amount of $50 bills. It sounds ominous but the scant amount of money is indicative Daniel is being bought at a discount for a possible nefarious employment opportunity. Is that bad Grim Reaper head guy exploiting the poverty and desperation of Daniel?
Upon opening the box and on his way back to his car Charlie, the family dog, runs up to Daniel and receives a friendly pat that instantly kills him. The deadly touch is explained by a subsequent note that reads, “Until you have paid back Eleven times what you have taken any creature you touch will die. To the world you will appear as death.” Don’t look at him or you die! When Daniel looks in the mirror his face is that of a Grim Reaper and that is how he appears to the world.
Heavily camouflaged about his face has Daniel looking very suspicious. An intermediary from the mysterious force hands Daniel his Grim Reaper assignments all seemingly non malicious but technical as he guides his “victims” to the portal for the journey to the other side. Most often portal transportation is facilitated touching the hand. The “good side” of a Grim Reaper career.
Wobbly plot with gaps here and there? But are the gaps intentional hints thrown at the viewer? Like who is this intermediary of the Grim Reaper? What are the eleven times referred to in the message in the wooden box?
Goody goody two shoes Macey from Child Protective Services noses about to find quasi-abandoned Collette in a seedy motel room (while Ba is making transport arrangements for the dead) and rescues her taking her to her home with her potentially abusive partner Brad. From the fire into the frying pan. Brad has a vicious temper threatening poor Collette. Yet another evil she must life manage.
The big guy Grim Reaper is far from pleased with Daniel’s performance and an epic battle between them ensues leading to an apparent faux and highly disappointing ending.
Stick around and avoid being melted by the cheese. You’ll be rewarded with an ending that will determine just how clever and inventive you are. Are we dealing with a “sleeping soul” or Collette’s issue of creating imaginary characters?
Kao delivers without a question. Likeable, empathetic and most convincing as is the cinematography. Michael Paul Chan as Sonny steals the show in his few scenes.
Not sure about the genre though? Horror? No obvious spooks but the horror of employment in the Grim Reaper corps is manifest. Mystery yes. A possible family drama as it is just a prime example of the nonobvious horror genre. A study of unpleasant choices to be made within the prison of poverty.
Written and directed by Benjamin Wong.
Now available on VOD.
RKS 2025 Film Rating 73/100.
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