Backdrop preview Antikalpa backdrop
Antikalpa

Antikalpa (2023)

Jun 21, 2023 1h 34m Horror

Ah Dai comes from a family that runs a prestigious orthodox temple. His childhood sweetheart, Yufan, is desperate to locate her missing aunt. In his attempt to help, Ah Dai agrees to participate in a special ritual that his schoolmates believe could help them seek assistance from the gods to grant their desires. However, they are lured into praying to evil forces instead. As his schoolmates die one after another, Ah Dai tries to use his gift to exorcise evil to save his friends. At the very end, he faces a completely demonized Yufan and must fight her to save the neighborhood.

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Directed by Wen-Han Shih

Cast

Huang Guan-Zhi
Huang Guan-Zhi

Ah-Dai

Regina Lei
Regina Lei

Wang Yu-Fan

Troy Liu
Troy Liu

Hsiao Pang

Vicky Tseng
Vicky Tseng

Wang Shu-Ya

Tender Huang
Tender Huang

Chao Yu-Chih

Alex Shu-Yuan Ko
Alex Shu-Yuan Ko

Mr. He (Ah-Dai's Father)

Sara Yu
Sara Yu

Mrs. He (Ah-Dai's Mother)

Olly Sun
Olly Sun

Hung-Nan

Wei-Lun Xi
Wei-Lun Xi

Ko Tzu

Michael Chang
Michael Chang

Ah-Yuan

Yu-Wei Hsieh

Master Tsang Chen

Ming-shiou Tsai
Ming-shiou Tsai

Fortune Teller

Chen Chun-cheng
Chen Chun-cheng

Ko Tzu's Father

Shao Yu Lan
Shao Yu Lan

Ko Tzu's Mother

Crew

Director
  • Wen-Han Shih
Writer
  • Wen-Han Shih
Producer
  • Marco Q Wu
  • Vera Hsu

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Thematic Analysis

This Horror film explores themes of fear and survival, delving into the psychological aspects of human nature when confronted with the unknown. Antikalpa presents a unique perspective on the horror genre by focusing on the psychological terror rather than relying on typical jump scares.

Director Wen-Han Shih brings their distinctive visual style to this film, continuing their exploration of themes seen in their previous works while adding new elements. Their approach to pacing and visual storytelling creates a viewing experience that rewards close attention.

Released in 2023, the film exists within a cultural context that continues to evolve with our understanding of its themes. Its reception demonstrates the diverse reactions to its artistic choices and its place in cinema history.

Did You Know?

  • The production of Antikalpa took approximately 28 months from pre-production to final cut.
  • The final cut of the film runs for 94 minutes, though the director's initial assembly was reportedly 139 minutes long.
  • The screenplay went through 14 major revisions before the final shooting script was approved.
  • Several scenes were filmed in multiple locations to capture the perfect setting.
  • The cast underwent specialized training for 4 weeks before filming began.

Historical Context

  • In 2023, when this film is released:
  • The COVID-19 pandemic transformed global health, economics, and social interaction.
  • Artificial intelligence was becoming increasingly integrated into daily life and creative industries.
  • Streaming platforms were disrupting traditional distribution models and changing how audiences consumed films.

How This Film Stands Out

Details

  • Release Date: June 21, 2023
  • Runtime: 1h 34m

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