Death Notice
Directed by: Herman Yau
Written by: Herman Yau and Erica Li, based on Death Notice: The Darker by Zhou Haohui
Original Release: 2022
Available on: Prime Video

I watched Death Notice on Prime Video one evening while my parents were out to dinner. It was telly or homework. Telly won. The film promised a blend of murder mystery and high-octane Oriental action. This raised my interest, and I set Further Maths aside. But, while it had its moments, the film left me underwhelmed.

The action scenes are the film’s undeniable strength. From explosive set pieces to superb parkour sequences, the choreography brims with energy and creativity. These moments carry the film forward, particularly when the story itself stumbles. For kinetic thrills, Death Notice delivers everything promised.

The film also makes exceptional use of Hong Kong as a backdrop. The city’s towering skyscrapers and labyrinthine alleyways serve as a dynamic stage for the action, adding extra further excitement to the drama. Few cities lend themselves so perfectly to this kind of atmospheric storytelling, and Death Notice exploits this to good effect.

The performances are another highlight. Louis Koo brings gravitas and complexity to his role as Detective Luo Fei, a man haunted by his failures and doggedly pursuing justice. His portrayal anchors the film, adding emotional weight where the script often falters. Julian Cheung and Francis Ng also shine in their respective roles, their characters giving a strong presence that elevates the material.

However, these strengths are undermined by the film’s chaotic plotting. The story moves so quickly and with so little explanation that it often feels like watching two films edited into one: an Agatha Christie-style whodunit forced into the framework of an Oriental action thriller. While this concept is intriguing on paper, in execution it leaves much to be desired. The narrative jumps between twists and revelations at such breakneck speed that it forgets to let its audience breathe or fully absorb the stakes.

Another glaring issue is how heavily the film leans into themes that have been explored far more successfully elsewhere. Comparisons to the Japanese Death Note are unavoidable, as both deal with moral dilemmas surrounding vigilante justice and the thin line between good and evil. Yet where Death Note is a masterclass in psychological tension and narrative complexity, Death Notice feels like a pale imitation. Death Note goes deep into its characters’ psyches, exploring the consequences of wielding absolute power with an intensity that makes it a work of genius. Death Notice only skims the surface, its narrative lacking the intellectual depth of its Japanese counterpart.

In the end, Death Notice is an uneven experience. While the action sequences, strong performances, and excellent use of Hong Kong’s urban landscape make it worth a watch for fans of the genre, its muddled storytelling and lack of originality prevent it from achieving greatness. For those seeking a fusion of mystery and action, there are better examples to be found.

Related posts:

From Time to Time: A Review The Russian Bride: A Gothic Thriller That Loses Its Mind in the Final Act

Powered by YARPP.