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It has be years that no HK horror movies on screen, the story of Back Home attracted me.

The story behind is all about HK, and I do think each audience will has its own interpretation.

The greatest actor I found is the International Movie Star, Ms Bai Ling, who is the traditional HK mother that she presented how much she loves her son and how sad it would be.

Another actress you have to focus on would be Ms Helen Tam Yuk-Ying, who pretended older than her actual age and talking a lot of scary script that make the atmosphere so horrifying.

The art works and scenes in the movie are amazing too, it is a good experience to enjoy it in the cinema for sure.

Back Home has been selected to be a world premiere at the New York Asian Film Festival 2023. The film was directed by Nate Tse, who is a Hong Kong director and emerged from the "First Emerging Directors Program" organized by Hong Kong film production and distribution company "mm2". Back Home is his first launched film.

Back Home takes horror and suspense as the central theme, integrating Hong Kong's traditional urban legends into the current situation of Hong Kong society. If you are interested in Hong Kong's traditional culture, you can find it in some scenes (Hong Kong old housing estates, The Hungry Ghost Festival). The magic of the movie was the old housing estate. It was designed in a factory building by the art team, which is very realistic. Really tell the story of Hong Kong.

In addition, the main actor of the film is from Hong Kong boyband's MIRROR - Anson Kong @_kisang_ , The Taipei Golden Horse Film Festival winner's Tai Bo, international actress Bai Ling, and a group of local professional actors in Hong Kong, such as Tam Yuying.

Following his mother's suicide attempt, a young man returns to his old home in an attempt to figure out what happened, but the longer he stays the more he finds his ability to see ghosts allows him to witness the ghostly manifestations living in the house and must stop them from harming his family.

For the most part, this one comes off incredibly well with a lot to like about it. Among the better features on display is a highly effective and engaging main setup that allows for a generally fun time getting into the storyline. While much is made of his ability to see ghosts from his youth through the flashbacks with his mother and the interactions amongst his neighbors following his return, there's more at stake here than a general setup featuring a person with paranormal powers encountering something strange. Fueled by this backstory he has with his mother and the attempts at suppressing these abilities for him to fit in better with his classmates, the use of this storyline makes for a gradually more hard-hitting feature by making the use of his power and the gradual use of black magic and sorcery feel quite logical. However, when the film does go all in on the spooks and creeps it's usually quite effective. The flashbacks to him as a kid witnessing strange phenomena around the house, from the usual voices playfully calling out in the distance and appearing suddenly behind somebody to hallucinating figures that no one else can see, all serve nicely to set the stage for what's going to be on offer throughout. The later scenes of him, as an adult features more overt scares with the ghosts appearing out of darkened hallways, emerging from blacked-out rooms or doorways, and setting out to disrupt his life with their appearances coming out of nowhere, are incredibly effective. As the incidents continue not just the ones involving him but the other residents in the apartment complex, it gradually reveals the real purpose behind most of the incidents and encounters that carry on into the final half. As the purpose of the ghosts' interactions gradually becomes clear and it starts driving him to insanity, the big reveal about the ritualistic ceremony that's being held offers some chilling resolutions as playing out what their purpose is sets this up nicely to give the film a lot to like about it. That said, this does have a few issues about it. The main issue here is a somewhat convoluted approach that makes for a difficult time figuring out the time period of what's going on. The first half of the film tends to spend a lot of time with him as a kid so to then make a child living in the apartment a major character who also encounters ghosts causes a massive amount of confusion due to having different characters around the same age at different points of time experiencing similar actions manages to be quite confusing. This constant slipping back and forth in time also goes for how his mother interacts since the present-day version is unable to speak yet the flashbacks show her completely capable of doing so. It takes a while before it all makes sense so everything that takes place is hard to differentiate how it all goes down. That also causes the film to be somewhat too long for what it should be, lasting a bit longer than necessary getting all these subplots out, lasting a bit longer than it should, coming together to be the issues that hold it back.

Rated Unrated/R: Graphic Violence and Language.

This movie achieves a high standard of horror movie: excellent sound effects, great facial expression from actors and actress, rich scary scenes. The most appreciated element is that they have put a lot of Hong Kong style old tales and sights of old Hong Kong housing estate into the movie. While some signature props and the housing estate in the movie is much related to my childhood, I found that they are very realistic. I wish the movie helps to introduce Hong Kong and Hong Kong movie to foreigners. I also like the storyline which is much smooth and makes people think deeply about what we are scared of might be from our heart, and will you be a follower or a escaper during difficult time.

The Director has made a lot of effort to make sure the film is not just a simple horror story that only gives the audience a few jumpscares and creeps. As he said it himself, horror movies can be far more educational than one might expect. The satirical message can be hugely relatable if one dares to pierce through the surface.

Another thing to love about the film is the elements of old Hong Kong. Local folklores, traditions and cultures have been heavily featured in the film. It feels like a nostalgic joy-ride as we follow Heung-Wing, the lead in the film, ventures into his childhood living place.

Overall, the acting is convincing. Anson Kong has successfully washed away his pop idol image to transform as the shy, shabby and pitiful Heung-Wing. Bai Ling gave a strong and impressive portrayal of Heung-Wing's mother. The two young actors are amazing too.

The film would be perfect if the Director could make stronger connections between some sub-plots to amplify the impact of the ending. But all-in-all, it is an enjoyable movie. As his directorial debut, the Director has produced a great film.