Our take
In the Dead Talents Society, ghosts haunting humans are less of a scare, and more a performance that can grant fame and fortune in the underworld. It makes for incredibly charming comedy. It affectionately satirizes East Asian horror in such a fresh way, comparing a ghost being remembered to today’s social media influencers, with views and validation directly tied to survival. However, as these ghosts scramble to scare unwitting humans, writer-director John Hsu resolves their need to be seen through the familiar path of fun and friendship, an approach that works with its offbeat humor and incredible performances. Dead Talents Society is very goofy, but it’s a unique horror comedy that won’t easily be forgotten.
The story
When ghosts must compete to survive in the underworld by haunting the living, one unassuming young woman needs help creating a lasting performance while under the tutelage of a passionate agent and a washed-up diva.
Elsewhere
"At its heart, Dead Talents Society is an affectionate ode to East Asian horror cinema, and its earnestness -- and silliness -- are key to its appeal."
— Katie Rife
The ghosts that scare off the most humans online become rich and famous in the afterlife. They maintain a corporal form until their living loved ones move on and lose memorabilia important to them. With only 30 days until disintegration, an unnamed rookie ghost hopes to keep her form by joining a talent group.
The concept itself. It’s a pretty brilliant idea to honor the horror genre by depicting how hard crafting a horror scene can be, even when the characters don’t have the limitations of the human body.
How do I be friends with these ghosts?
Who picked it
Isabella Endrinal is a curator at A Good Movie to Watch. She's now free from the corporate night shift. Previous articles have been published in outlets such as NANG Magazine. She's currently catching up on some classic films… if she isn't coping with the fact that the Haikyu anime will end soon.
