‘Dead Talents Society’ is a Horror Comedy with Ghoulish Wit and a Big Heart [TIFF 2024 Review]
Where do we go when we die? Many horror movies have tackled this question head-on, often circling around the philosophically comforting idea that there is some semblance of life after death, whether delightfully ghoulish or downright depressing. But what if there was still work to do after death? And what’s more, what if you are really bad it (or so you think)?
In the Taiwanese horror comedy Dead Talents Society, an awkward, recently deceased teen (Gingle Wang as Newbie) is at risk of “disappearing” forever unless she receives her haunter’s license. You see, in this version of the afterlife, ghosts are only visible to the living after they successfully commit a brilliant feat of fright. And if a young spirit’s scares are really effective, they have the potential of becoming a urban legend, effectively making them iconic to both the living and the dead.
Essentially Beetlejuice if Lydia was the ghost with the most (or, I suppose, the least), Dead Talents Society is a gory and giggle-inducing coming-of-age story powered by its totally game and absolutely charming cast. Much like Winona Ryder in that aforementioned classic (and surprisingly sweet sequel), Wang is definitely sweet and relatable as the aforementioned meek and meandering rookie. However, it’s the gaggle of strange and unusual ghosties surrounding her who steal the show and make this a movie to keep an eye out for following its North American premiere at the 2024 Toronto International Film Festival.
From the aging actress (Sandrine Pinna as Catherine) whose hotel-set haunting is growing old to the failed pop star (Bo-Lin Chen) who is now a talent agent for the spook stars, Dead Talents Society‘s crew of professional creeps is hard to resist. Much like the bloodsucking freaks of the What We Do in the Shadows universe, this found family has its quirks, often clashing over petty issues. But when on common ground, they are an unexpectedly unshakeable force (see: the wild climax involving a scare competition).
In general, director John Hsu (of 2019’s Detention, which not be confused with the 2011 Joseph Kahn flick) is really quite stellar at world building. The recurring sidebars featuring phantom news coverage are an utter delight, especially when put up against mortal reports on the same incident. Alas, with so many interesting characters floating between scenes, the plot often loses focus.
Given the All About Eve-meets-Perfect Blue vibes between her and a former mentee (now The Ring-esque urban legend of the moment), Hsu could have made whole movie just about Catherine the Not-So-Great. Hell, I’d watch an entire Golden Ghost Awards ceremony, which we see in silly, but standout snippets. Maybe they’ll save that for the sequel, or inevitable American remake.
What Dead Talents Society gets right is not shying away from sincerity, especially when it comes to how we navigate our insecurities. Newbie is obviously struggling with suicidal ideation, having felt less-than in life, and now in death. And Hsu and co-writer Kun-Lin Tsai allow her to feel these big feelings without poking fun at or undermining them. You desperately want her to fight to be seen, but you also understand why she might want to disappear after all.
Much like its protagonist, Dead Talents Society is far from perfect. But ultimately, that’s what makes it an endearing and inventive peek beneath the proverbial sheets.
-
Dead Talents Society
Summary
An inventive peek beneath the proverbial sheets, this Taiwanese ghost story finds a way to balance scares, sincerity and silliness.
