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The Sadness

Original title: Ku bei
  • 2021
  • TV-MA
  • 1h 39m
IMDb RATING
6.5/10
24K
YOUR RATING
POPULARITY
1,319
1,348
The Sadness (2021)
After a year of combating a pandemic with relatively benign symptoms, a frustrated nation finally lets its guard down. This is when the virus spontaneously mutates, giving rise to a mind-altering plague. The streets erupt into violence and depravity, as those infected are driven to enact the most cruel and ghastly things they can think of. Murder, torture, rape and mutilation are only the beginning. A young couple is pushed to the limits of sanity as they try to reunite amid the chaos. The age of civility and order is no more. There is only "The Sadness".
Play trailer1:13
3 Videos
47 Photos
Body HorrorSplatter HorrorZombie HorrorHorrorThriller

A young couple trying to reunite amid a city ravaged by a plague that turns its victims into deranged, bloodthirsty sadists.A young couple trying to reunite amid a city ravaged by a plague that turns its victims into deranged, bloodthirsty sadists.A young couple trying to reunite amid a city ravaged by a plague that turns its victims into deranged, bloodthirsty sadists.

  • Director
    • Rob Jabbaz
  • Writer
    • Rob Jabbaz
  • Stars
    • Berant Zhu
    • Regina Lei
    • Ying-Ru Chen
  • See production info at IMDbPro
  • IMDb RATING
    6.5/10
    24K
    YOUR RATING
    POPULARITY
    1,319
    1,348
    • Director
      • Rob Jabbaz
    • Writer
      • Rob Jabbaz
    • Stars
      • Berant Zhu
      • Regina Lei
      • Ying-Ru Chen
    • 223User reviews
    • 153Critic reviews
    • 68Metascore
  • See production info at IMDbPro
    • Awards
      • 3 wins & 4 nominations total

    Videos3

    Official Trailer
    Trailer 1:13
    Official Trailer
    Official Trailer
    Trailer 1:14
    Official Trailer
    Official Trailer
    Trailer 1:14
    Official Trailer
    If You Liked Terrifier 3, Watchlist These Endurance Horror Classics
    Clip 3:12
    If You Liked Terrifier 3, Watchlist These Endurance Horror Classics

    Photos47

    View Poster
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    + 43
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    Top cast13

    Edit
    Berant Zhu
    Berant Zhu
    • Jim
    Regina Lei
    • Kat
    Ying-Ru Chen
    • Molly
    Tzu-Chiang Wang
    Tzu-Chiang Wang
    • Businessman
    Emerson Tsai
    Emerson Tsai
    • Warren Liu
    Wei-Hua Lan
    Wei-Hua Lan
    • Dr. Alan Wong
    Ralf Chiu
    Ralf Chiu
    • Mr. Lin
    • (as Ralf Yen-Hsiang Chiu)
    Chi-Min Chou
    • Old Woman
    Lueh-Geng Huang
    • Kevin
    • (as Lue-Keng Huang)
    • …
    An-Long Cai
    • President
    Chang-Han Liu
    • General
    • (as Chang-Han Liou)
    Zheng Austin
    • Shades man on the metro
    • (as Ark Zheng)
    Kass Tsai
    Kass Tsai
    • Director
      • Rob Jabbaz
    • Writer
      • Rob Jabbaz
    • All cast & crew
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

    User reviews223

    6.523.9K
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    Featured reviews

    7Arshia_mostafavi

    "An Extremity That Justifies Itself"

    Yes, this is exactly the best way to describe it.

    I don't know if the director intentionally aimed to weave deep psychological themes into the film, or if it was just to make a name.

    But I do know that the film carries a heavy tension between ethics and human desire throughout.

    It's a film with little unnecessary dialogue-almost 90% of the conversations have meaning, delivering the film's core message.

    In the most colloquial terms, the film's theme can be summed up as: "They're aware, but the pleasure feels inevitable-as if you're telling them not to blink."

    A film that reflects the endlessness of human desire.

    A film that acts like a warning.

    A film that says the only thing keeping us from total collapse is that thin thread of awareness about ethics.

    One of the most interesting and heartbreaking aspects is that it's not a virus that turns you into someone else, or a zombie, or anything like that.

    It's still you-completely you-who transforms from a victim into a full-blown maniac with no boundaries or rules.

    And in the final scene, where the director builds the story's climax in the very last moments, when even the protagonist is not spared from the madness, and the tears and pain turn into tears of twisted pleasure- you hope for a happy ending, but the director keeps you suspended in a surreal state at every moment- a surrealism rooted in realism.
    8veganluke

    Over the top and brilliant

    The Sadness is one of the most over the top, ridiculous films I have ever seen. I couldn't believe how gory this got. It's absolutely wild and I loved it so much. It's utterly disturbing too with some of the things it does. Just when you think it can't get anymore disturbing it ups that completely. It's fast paced, as soon as everything hits it just gets outrageous and it is brilliant. With it being full pedal to the metal and being incredibly stressful and tense. There's a moment it slows down and it's good to have this moment so you can have a breather before we get pulled back in and punched straight in the face with the extreme scenes and buckets of blood. The Sadness does have many horrific scenes and it's some of the most shocking stuff I've seen in some time. It is though one of the most brilliant Horrors I've seen recently, it's so well made, never holds back with how far it will go and keeps you on the edge throughout. I can't wait to watch this again!
    8kosmasp

    Getting Crazies with it

    If you've not heard yet, the movie is quite infamous. Because it goes places (especially visually) that may be a bit too much for some viewers. As others surely have pointed out, the idea is not new. And you won't really see too much of a story here. Actually you may wonder if what we learn from the relationship that our two leads have, was in any way essential or necessary.

    But before the mayhem begins, it is always nice to have some ... well quiet time. Also the beginning clearly is a statement - to all the conspiracy theories and to how the world has gone mad. Quite a few stabs at things going wrong - politically but also socially speaking.

    That is not the only thing you get though. Apart from the overall plot being lifted from something like The Crazies by Romero, you also have homages to a lot of other scenes from many different movies. Irreversible, Night of the Living Dead, Serbian Film and so forth ... I reckon a second viewing would reveal even more to me.

    As it is, this is no holds barred, mostly practical effects violent splatter fest ... take it or leave, just don't judge for something it isn't.
    6danieltucher

    Extreme

    The Sadness is pretty much what I expected (and hoped for) judging from the trailers.

    A completely bonkers and hyper violent & disturbing movie that is an intense viewing experience.

    While there are some attempts at social commentary, there is not much besides the mayhem and gore going on - but I think most people will be fine with that.
    6fciocca

    A sick movie, plenty of explicit violence. An interesting production for horror fans.

    "The Sadness" is one of the most violent and sickest films that I watched in 2023. The setup is interesting and the "zombies" are not the usual mindless and slow monsters roaming around. They are really dangerous because the virus does not inhibit their brain and it actually strengthens their violence. Moreover, the makeup was top notch and they looked truly scary. I liked the fact that there was some kind of villain that was chasing down one of the main characters. The danger felt closer and more personal and it added a captivating layer to the story. However, the script is pretty basic and plot wise there is really nothing peculiar. The acting was just okay and none of the performances could really grab my attention. The dialogues are lazy and after a while it just gets boring hearing vulgarities from these monsters. I mean, I get it, whoever is infected becomes extremely depraved; there is no need to reiterate the concept for one hour and a half.

    I have watched many incredibly twisted scenes in my life, but in this specific case there were some things that were really difficult to stand. For sure it is not a film for families or for people with a weak stomach. The practical effects are well done and the attack scenes are directed competently. I believe that this film will make happy body horror fans. My final mark is in line with the average: 6.5 stars out of 10.

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    The Sadness

    Storyline

    Edit

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      There was very little computer animation in The Sadness, with 99% of the special effects being practical effects.
    • Goofs
      At around 1:08:30 when Molly is about to cut the MRT employee, you can hear her laughing loudly but her mouth is barely open.
    • Quotes

      Infected on rooftop: Good morning everyone. Pay attention to the following message. There are some new rules for everyone. All men must report to the district office. I'll cut all your dicks off and feed them to stray dogs. And for the ladies... They'll be fucked by dogs in the street. Is that clear? This is your new life...

    • Connections
      Featured in Horrible Reviews: The Horrors Of 2022: The Sadness Video review (2022)
    • Soundtracks
      Tis Freedom
      by Tzechar

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    FAQ

    • How long is The Sadness?Powered by Alexa

    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • May 12, 2022 (United States)
    • Country of origin
      • Taiwan
    • Official site
      • Official site (Germany)
    • Language
      • Mandarin
    • Also known as
      • 哭悲
    • Filming locations
      • Taipei, Taiwan
    • Production company
      • Machi Xcelsior Studios
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Box office

    Edit
    • Gross worldwide
      • $430,254
    See detailed box office info on IMDbPro

    Tech specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      1 hour 39 minutes
    • Color
      • Color
    • Sound mix
      • D-Cinema 48kHz 5.1
    • Aspect ratio
      • 2.00 : 1

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