Dead Talents Society presents a unique perspective on the supernatural, blending humor, horror, and an unexpected commentary on the pressures of success—even in the afterlife. Directed by John Hsu, this 2024 Taiwanese horror-comedy delves into what happens when the struggle for identity and relevance doesn’t end with death. Instead, it intensifies as ghosts find themselves in a fiercely competitive underworld where standing out as a top-tier haunter is the key to survival.
The story follows a young woman known simply as the Rookie (played by a yet-undiscovered star), who, after her untimely demise, enters the spectral world with little knowledge of how things work. She quickly learns that ghosts aren’t just roaming aimlessly through the mortal realm—there’s a system in place, and in this ghostly world, reputation is everything. Without a solid haunting act and a recognized persona, disintegration into oblivion looms.
This concept fuels much of the film’s vibrant, often ridiculous humor. The Rookie is thrown into this bizarre, ghostly society, where celebrity ghosts compete for annual haunting awards, appear on late-night underworld talk shows, and engage in a relentless race to be the scariest or the most famous. Her first attempt to join this elite group—an audition where she must scare in front of a panel of terrifying judges—ends in embarrassing failure, sending her on a frantic quest to find her ghostly groove.
The Rookie’s salvation comes in the form of a gang of spectral misfits who have long been overshadowed by the more successful dead. Leading the pack is Makoto (Chen Bolin), a former pop star who’s fallen far from grace, and Catherine (Sandrine Pinna), a once-great diva whose title as the Golden Ghost has been claimed by her ruthless former protégé, Jessica Yao Yi Ti. Together, they hunker down in a decrepit hotel, practicing their scare tactics on the few unlucky souls who check in while helping the Rookie develop her own frightening style before her 30-day deadline runs out.
What stands out in Dead Talents Society is its irreverent take on ghost stories. John Hsu doesn’t just rely on familiar horror tropes but instead infuses the film with a sense of playfulness that turns the ghostly genre on its head. Here, being a ghost isn’t inherently frightening—it’s an exhausting hustle filled with auditions, competitions, and constant image management. The juxtaposition of death and the pressures of celebrity is a clever and unique twist, giving the film a lighthearted, satirical edge.
Visually, the film is a riot of color and energy. The underworld is a bustling, chaotic place that mirrors our world’s obsession with fame and success. Hsu leans into this with over-the-top set designs, vibrant costumes, and larger-than-life performances from the cast. The dead, it turns out, are every bit as vivid, anxious, and competitive as the living, making for a constantly entertaining viewing experience.
Chen Bolin and Sandrine Pinna are standouts in the film. Bolin brings a laid-back charm to his character despite his washed-up status, and Pinna delivers a scene-stealing performance as Catherine, whose diva tendencies still burn bright even as her star fades. Their dynamic with the Rookie adds depth to what could have been a purely comedic film, giving the audience a glimpse of the real emotions underneath their ghostly personas.
While Dead Talents Society doesn’t take itself too seriously, it also manages to sneak in some insightful commentary about the human (or ghostly) need for validation and identity. The Rookie’s journey mirrors the struggles of anyone trying to make their mark in a cutthroat world, where success can be fleeting, and the pressure to stand out is relentless.
Dead Talents Society is a riotous and imaginative ride through the afterlife, where horror meets satire, and even the dead aren’t free from the grind of celebrity culture. With its blend of sharp humor, quirky characters, and a unique take on the ghost genre, it’s a refreshing entry into the world of supernatural comedies, offering plenty of laughs alongside its moments of spooky fun.