Detective Kien: The Headless Horror

This film plays it so safe that it teeters on the edge of mediocrity.

My biggest complaint lies with Dinh Ngoc Diep's performance-she overacts in nearly every scene. Her delivery is so unconvincing that even the child actresses come across as more natural and compelling.

Beyond that, the characters are forgettable, the villains aren't nearly detestable enough, and the victim's presence is too passive that she fails to earn our sympathy.

Oddly, the film reveals its twist at the halfway mark-likely because the writers couldn't come up with a more creative way to sustain suspense. From that point on, the ending drags on for too long. I would've enjoyed it more if it had been trimmed by about 30 minutes.

One saving grace is the cinematography and the effective horror elements, both signature strengths of Victor Vu. Still, I wish the film had made better use of Northern Vietnam's breathtaking landscapes.

Starting from bad: the actress Dinh Ngoc Diep who plays the role of the aunt. Her facial expressions and lines that are supposed to be comic gave me the feeling to be badly acted and out of place most of the time. In general the comical moments in the movie do not blend well with overall vibe.

Another big disappointment is the paranormal element: not what I expected after seeing the trailer, and I wish it had been handled differently.

On the positive side it is worth mentioning the Direction. The special effects are quite good and did not left me the feeling of being cheap of anything like that. The Storyline is solid. Some good twists and emotional moments.

In the end, considering this a be a local vietnamese production, I was pleasently surprised by the general quality of it.

I would rate this movie a 7- , much better than the latest Hollywood productions.

A movie whort watching and 2 hours well spent in my opinion.

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You must watch this movie! It's a MUST!

Out of my expectation, the movie is good in general. Good plot, meaningful story, logical plot-twist, nice cinematography and epic background music. It will show you many natural sceneries in the North of Vietnam, which are truly beautiful and stunning. In my opinion, this one is a true masterpiece of Vietnamese cinematic industry so far.

To be honest, there're a few limitations in the plot and the characters' dialogues, but they are kind of acceptable. The story is still good enough to keep viewers stay focused on the screen.

The main character, Detective Kien, is really impressive and outstanding. His performance won't make you disappointed. The second main character, Miss Moon, is very beautiful in every scene. She can either make you laugh or cry during the journey of finding her missing niece. All of the other actors' acting was generally good. Especially, the chemistry between Detective Kien and Miss Moon is amazing! I found their partnership quite cute and enjoyable.

Finally, this one is definitely one of the movies that you can't miss! It's my favorite Vietnamese movie so far! I heard that the writer and the director are in discussion about making the next part. I'm really looking forward to it!

There truly is no single word capable of capturing the exquisite beauty of this film. It stands out as the best Vietnamese movie I have ever had the pleasure of watching! I am particularly impressed with the visual effects; they are incredibly well-executed and elevate the storytelling to an entirely new level. The seamless integration of VFX really enhances the movie's breathtaking scenes and adds a layer of depth that keeps you engaged throughout. Story and Emotion While the setting captures your eyes, the story captures your heart. It is a poignant tale of love, sacrifice, tradition, and resilience. The characters are deeply human-flawed, hopeful, and shaped by the times they live in. Their struggles reflect not just personal conflicts, but the broader socio-cultural tensions of Vietnam's past.

The pacing is deliberate, giving time for moments to breathe and for emotions to unfold naturally. There's a quiet power in the storytelling-it doesn't rely on grand drama or exaggerated twists, but rather on genuine human experiences, conveyed with sensitivity and realism.

Performance and Direction The performances are uniformly excellent. Each actor brings subtlety and nuance to their role. There's a grace in the way emotions are portrayed-often with more silence than words, more gestures than dialogue. The direction is confident and compassionate, with a clear vision and a deep love for the culture being portrayed.

Great movie with talented actors and actresses. The story was well written keeping the audience guessing on what will happen next. Sound was well played. Scenery was beautiful which appears to be at Ha Long bay. The detective was well played by Quoc Huy. All the supporting people were well played. The story was set in the olden day in northern Vietnam where a number of people was murdered with the head chopped off! Some scary scenes will make the audience entertained. Well worth watching and hope there will be part 2. The story based on a novel. Many people still believe in ghosts in Vietnam. Well done.