Rigor Mortis

When a former actor checks into a run down apartment with the intention of ending his life, a chance encounter saves him from his own plan. A Taoist priest, once known for tracking Chinese hopping vampires, steps in and offers help in a way that mixes mysticism with hard won pragmatism. In another part of the same building a woman teams up with a practitioner of black magic to bring back the man she lost. The parallel stories pulled tight against a grim city backdrop give the movie a mood that blends dread with a somber sense of duty. No big twists are spoiled here, only a sense that past deeds echo into the present.

Directed by Juno Mak and released in 2013, Rigor Mortis is a Hong Kong horror drama that leans on Jiangshi lore. The cast features Chin Siu-Ho, Kara Wai, Nina Paw, Lo Hoi-Pang, and Anthony Chan Yau, delivering a moody ensemble performance.

With an average of 6.0 from 197 votes, the film drew mixed reactions from critics and audiences. Reviewers praised the atmosphere, measured pacing, and strong performances, especially from Wai and Chin Siu-Ho. Themes center on life and death, duty to the living, and the uneasy balance between magic and faith.

No major awards are listed for Rigor Mortis in the available records. The film was recognized mainly within festival circuits and genre conversations rather than sweeping award ceremonies. Its strength lies in mood and performances rather than trophy chatter, reflecting Juno Mak's talents as a young director.

Among Hong Kong horror fans the movie has earned a small but devoted following for its stylish look and respectful nods to jiangshi lore. While not a global blockbuster, it stands out in the local scene for treating urban hauntings with a quiet, somber sincerity rather than pure shock value.