The cut-throat nature of the Hong Kong housing market is gorily satirised in Pang Ho-Cheungs horror, Dream Home.
And it almost succeeds.
The story centres on Cheng Lai-sheung.
And thats where this film excels.
Many Cantonese films fail to translate to Western audiences because of quite strong cultural differences.
Suddenly, it becomes more about Lai Sheungs obsession for herself over and above the needs of her family.
She replies, But thats for me.
Just as its not meant to be an all-out slasher either.
And thats the problem with this film.
It tries to be too many things at one time.
And it would have made a weak slasher movie without this underlying tale.
But that doesnt mean that its a winning formula when put together.
Any tension that is created in the murder scenes is flattened completely by the intertwining flashbacks and flashforwards.
But where there is blood and gore, Ho-Cheung has not pulled any punches, literally.
Theres a screwdriver through the eye and a disembowelling.
There is, just about, enough gore, and its shocking enough to satisfy slasher fans.
Rating:
3 out of 5
