Victim (1999 film)

Plot

Ma (Lau Ching-wan) is kidnapped in a parking structure. His girlfriend Amy Fu (Amy Kwok) informs the police that though he had been jobless for a while and had a lot of debt, he was not a bad man. Police detective Pit (Tony Leung Ka-fai) later discovers Ma beaten, bloodied, and dangling upside down from the ceiling of an old abandoned hotel. The hotel in question is said to be haunted from murder-suicide of the original owner and his wife. On returning home, Ma starts terrifying Amy by behaving like the famous ghost of the hotel. The police begin to suspect that Ma's possession might be a ruse to hide something other crimes that are happening.

Release

Victim was released in Hong Kong on 16 October 1999. Two versions of Victim were released in Hong Kong due to arguments between director Ringo Lam and producer Joe Ma. 50% of the prints released contained an extra shot in the final scene that clarified the question of whether or not the character of Ma was possessed by a ghost. The other 50% reflected the original script, which left this plot element unanswered. The film grossed HK$3,915,929.

Reception

Variety gave a mixed review, stating that the film was at its best with drew "some remarkable playing from its cast" while the ghost story elements were "the weakest". A negative review came from the San Francisco Chronicle, who referred to the film "as ridiculous as it is tepid. Only late in the second half of this almost-two-hour - way too long! - cat-and-mouse game does the film catch fire."