Mr. Vampire

During a routine reburial in a quiet village, an awkward twist of fate sends the ceremony spiraling. When the coffin is finally opened, the long dead elder stirs and rises as a hopping jiangshi, its limbs rigid and ridiculous as it hobbles through the night. A seasoned Taoist priest known as Master Gau arrives with his two quirky pupils, Man Choi and Chou, armed with talismans, chants, and fast martial moves. The trio must outwit the undead, keep the villagers safe, and prevent panic from spreading through the valley. What follows is a clash of traditional magic and slapstick action, balanced by banter and clever exorcism tricks. No spoilers here, just brisk, comic energy.

Directed by Ricky Lau, with an original screenplay by Wong Ying and Barry Wong Ping-Yiu, Mr Vampire arrived in 1985 as part of Hong Kong's zombie-hunting comedy wave and helped define the jiangshi film revival.

Its brisk energy and practical effects helped stamp the hopping vampire as a staple of Hong Kong cinema rather than pure horror. Lam Ching-Ying's Master Gau became a reference for Taoist exorcists in later films and spoof sequels, influencing tone and visual gags.

Critics praised Mr Vampire for blending brisk action with broad humor, a combination that helped it stand out in the mid-80s Hong Kong scene. The film quietly probes tradition versus modern life, while celebrating teamwork, clever improvisation, and fearless comic timing.