I stumbled across this one not realizing it was directed by Soi Chang (Motorway, SPL 2), who the previous year, made "HORROR HOTLINE... BIG HEAD MONSTER" (2001), which blatant influences aside, I found to be a solid HK supernatural ghost film even after a repeat viewing last year. While the stories (for Chang's two horror films) are nothing groundbreaking by following more of a trend, it's the enduring visual arrangement and camera verve of his work that gives it another dimension suiting these somber, harrowing ghost tales.
"NEW BLOOD" sees a young couple attempt to commit suicide together, but only the girl dies. Her boyfriend is saved by a blood transfusion from three blood donors that same night. In doing so, each one of the donors is haunted by the vengeful spirit of the dead girl for separating her from her lover. Creepy, nonchalant storytelling purposely shot in dark, shadowy areas filtered with lurid blue streams of lighting, greenish tints, oddly projected camera angles and a melancholy ambiance of HK that saps the life right out of you.
Performances are low-key, kind of solemn but fitting with a strong lead in Niki Chow. What seems at first simple and conventional, changes, as the plot delves into the psych of its core three characters with one of them living through a traumatic past incident, which the dead girl manipulates. Dreams become distorted nightmares, as the wraith manifests, even possesses causing reality to blur into hallucinations leading to fragility and madness.
During the early stages of the story its slow rhythm cooks up suspense and concern, but come the third act it goes off the rails becoming a screwy muddle before leading to a bizarre, tepid twist. While the plastered scares throughout are clichéd fast edited jumps, I can forgive, as the atmospheric buildup of its decorated style and creative disposition gets under your skin. Darkness of the night, under-lit buildings, sterile surfaces, subtle glimpses of the piercing eyes from a bald, pale skin ghost dressed in white, stalking her targets, unsettling sounds magnified, flowing bright red blood drips and a real sense of hopelessness smothers hope. Definitely one to watch late at night.
