The Pang Brothers are delivering a sophisticated fusion of horror and crime, aiming squarely at the lucrative cult cinema and midnight movie demographics with high-quality production values.
Insiders note that Josie Ho isn't just the star; as a co-founder of 852 Films, she's pulling strings behind the scenes, ensuring this Cantonese-language project gets the international spotlight it deserves.
The film world-premiered in July at BIFAN, where Ho won the Fantastic Icon Award. It opens in Hong Kong, Malaysia, and Taiwan on Oct. 8, with Singapore following Oct. 15.
The Pang Brothers are back in the supernatural game, and with Josie Ho producing and starring, ‘The Mage’ is poised to be a major player in the Asian genre market.
The Pang Brothers are back, and they’re bringing the ghosts. Danny and Oxide Pang’s latest supernatural crime thriller, “The Mage,” is making its big international debut at the Busan International Film Festival’s Asian Contents & Film Market (ACFM). This isn’t just a screening; it’s a strategic rollout as the film opens in its first Asian territories, signaling that the horror genre remains a dominant force in the region’s cinema landscape.
At the center of this spectral storm is Josie Ho, who stars as Lan Pui Ching, a former spirit medium turned scavenger. The plot? Lan collects cast-off objects she believes contain the spirits of those who died suddenly, trying to guide them toward reincarnation.
But when she keeps showing up at suspicious death scenes, she catches the eye of police officer Wong Ming. As their investigation reveals a string of killings linked to a bizarre ritual, the duo must team up to face down both otherworldly threats and Lan’s own unfinished business. It’s a classic setup with a fresh, folklore-infused twist.
The business side of “The Mage” is just as intriguing as its plot. Southeast Asian distributor Abnormal Studios is meeting with buyers at the market, connecting them with 852 Films, the production company behind the title. Ho is a co-founder of 852 Films, which adds a layer of insider influence to the project.
The film has already secured deals with Edko Films for Hong Kong and Macau, and CJ ENM Hong Kong for Taiwan and Southeast Asia, proving that international buyers are hungry for this kind of genre fare. This isn’t the first time the Pang Brothers have wowed audiences with their genre work, known for hits like “The Eye” and “Bangkok Dangerous.” “The Mage” world-premiered in July at South Korea’s Bucheon International Fantastic Film Festival (BIFAN), where Ho was honored with the Fantastic Icon Award for her contributions to genre film.
Following its debut, the film opened the Midnight section at the Bangkok International Film Festival and is slated for a European premiere at Sitges. With releases kicking off in Hong Kong, Malaysia, and Taiwan on October 8, and more territories to follow, the Pang Brothers are ready to cast their spell once again.
