To cap off a remarkable year, Netflix is releasing four Taiwanese films this month, which delve into the rich tapestry of Taiwanese folklore, culture, and human emotion.
From spine-chilling horror to heartwarming comedy and gripping crime drama, each film stands as a testament to the diverse storytelling prowess of Taiwan’s film industry.
The Rope Curse 3
- Releasing globally on December 18
An exorcism horror film deeply rooted in Taiwanese folk culture, The Rope Curse 3 continues the story from its predecessor, The Rope Curse 2. Guan Yu (Chang Ting-hu), a gifted young man from a family of exorcists with aspirations to become a parkour influencer, gets caught up in a series of spooky events at an eerie hotel. The film made waves in Taiwan upon its theatrical release earlier this year, raking in an impressive box office performance of nearly NTD 81 million (USD 2.6 million) and securing the No. 2 spot in the local box office rankings for 2023.
Sharing his excitement over the film’s global release on Netflix, Chang said, “Temple culture and folk beliefs are unique cultural assets of Taiwan. The Rope Curse 3 reimagines the traditional portrayal of Zhong Kui and presents a fresh take on the horror genre. I am delighted that the film will reach a wider audience on Netflix and hope viewers will find it not only an exhilarating horror film, but also deepens their understanding of Taiwanese culture.”
Hello Ghost
- Releasing globally (except Korea) on December 18
A remake of a 2010 Korean film of the same name, Hello Ghost tells the story of a man’s unsuccessful attempt to take his own life, only to return with a haunting connection to four ghosts seeking to fulfill their final wishes. Crafted by the same creative team behind More Than Blue: The Series, this poignant comedy stars Tseng Jing-hua (At the Moment, Your Name Engraved Herein) and Ivy Shao (More Than Blue: The Series).
In anticipation of the film’s release on Netflix, Tseng shared, “This is a fun and heartwarming film, and I hope that viewers will be reminded to cherish their loved ones more after watching.”
Miss Shampoo
- Releasing globally on December 28
Directed and written by popular Taiwanese novelist and filmmaker Giddens Ko (Bad Education, Till We Meet Again, You Are the Apple of my Eye), the lighthearted comedy stars Vivian Sung (At the Moment) and Kai Ko (Bad Education), alongside famous Nine One One rapper Daniel Hong.
Together, they weave a romantic and humorous love story between a hair salon apprentice and an unexpected clientele—a local mafia gangster. Hong’s stellar performance in Miss Shampoo earned him his first nomination as Best New Actor in this year’s Golden Horse Awards.
Reflecting on his experience starring in the film, Hong said, “As this is my first project as a leading actor, I had a lot of fun every day. The most memorable moment for me was probably seeing Kai Ko’s buttocks!” Hong also recalled many playful and amusing interactions on set with Ko, who plays the role of his gangster underling in the film.
The Abandoned
- Releasing globally on December 31
Garnering six Golden Horse nominations including Best New Director, Best Art Direction, and Best Action Design, The Abandoned follows a troubled police officer (Janine Chang) as she unravels layers of mystery and grisly murders after discovering a strange corpse in a river. Lin You-sheng (Ethan Juan) is in trouble due to his connection with a female body found in a factory.
Directed by Tseng Ying-ting, the crime drama differentiates itself from the usual tropes of suspenseful crime thrillers and explores the string of heinous crimes through the psychological state and emotional struggles of its protagonists.
Apart from her acting role, Chang is also a producer of the film, sharing, “I hope to invite more people to join the journey of my character Wu Jie and to find pockets of hope in seemingly hopeless situations. Beyond the intense and thrilling storytelling, the film also conveys a deeper meaning on the importance of life. Each actor also has their own shining moments, so do not miss it!”
Save the dates for these new Taiwanese films to stream this month on Netflix!
*Press Release
