Can fate truly be defied, or is every step of our life preordained?
What happens when a killer and a fortune teller cross paths? In Mad Fate, fate isn’t just something to believe in—it’s something to fight against.
From legendary producers Johnnie TO, YAU Nai Hoi, and Elaine CHU, and directed by award-winning filmmaker Soi CHEANG, Mad Fate is one of Hong Kong’s boldest psychological thrillers in years. This intense, genre-defying film blends metaphysics, fate, and murder into a gripping story about free will—and the cost of challenging destiny.
The Story: Destiny, Murder & Metaphysics
It’s pouring rain. A woman lies dead—murdered.
A fortune teller (played by Gordon LAM Ka Tung 林家棟) arrives, only to discover the tragic scene. Her name was Phoenix. He had warned her of danger, tried to shift her fate. But he was too late.
And then, a stranger enters—a delivery boy with an eerie calm. This is Siu Tung (played by Lokman YEUNG 楊樂文 of MIRROR). He’s not disturbed by the body. He’s fascinated.
The fortune teller instantly sees it: this young man is fated to become a killer.
Siu Tung pleads for help. He doesn’t want to follow the dark path laid out for him. The fortune teller uses every method he knows—feng shui, Chinese rituals, Western metaphysics—to fight back against destiny. But the harder he tries to shift fate, the more chaotic and dangerous their lives become.
As Siu Tung’s urges grow darker, and a detective from his past (Berg NG 吳廷燁) closes in, the fortune teller spirals into doubt and madness.
Can fate really be changed? Or is resisting destiny the surest way to destroy yourself?
A Cast That Delivers Every Chilling Moment
Gordon LAM plays the tortured psychic with haunting realism.
A three-time Best Actor winner, LAM is known for Trivisa (樹大招風), Limbo (智齒), and his intense, introspective roles.
Lokman YEUNG delivers a career-defining performance as the disturbed Siu Tung.
The MIRROR frontman shifts from pop icon to psychological powerhouse, diving deep into the mind of a man battling his darkest instincts.
Berg NG plays the seasoned detective who believes some people are born evil—and he’s seen it in Siu Tung before.
Ng Wing-sze (伍詠詩) portrays Phoenix, the ill-fated prostitute whose murder ignites the story.
Supporting cast includes Peter Chan, Pancy Chan, Tin-nung Ku and Man-Wai Wong.
Themes of Karma and Destiny
What makes Mad Fate more than just a thriller is its spiritual weight. It’s not just about stopping a killer—it’s about confronting the universe itself.
The film explores:
- Fate vs. Free Will – Are we prisoners of karma, or do we shape our own paths?
- Good vs. Evil – Is evil born in us, or do circumstances create it?
- Inner Demons – What happens when someone tries to rewrite their fate—and loses themselves in the process?
For fans of Buddhist philosophy, psychological thrillers, and moral dilemmas, Mad Fate is more than a movie—it’s a chilling meditation on choice, consequence, and cosmic justice.
Awards and Film Festival Highlights
- Premiered at the Berlin International Film Festival (Berlinale Special)
- Chosen as the Opening Film for the 47th Hong Kong International Film Festival
- North American premiere at the New York Asian Film Festival
- Won Best Director (Soi CHEANG) and Best Screenplay (YAU Nai Hoi) at the 2024 Hong Kong Film Awards
Box Office Performance
Despite its heavy themes and psychological intensity, Mad Fate struck a chord with Hong Kong audiences:
- HK$450,000 on opening day
- HK$2.96 million opening weekend
- Over HK$11 million total gross
- Remained in the Top 10 for weeks
This is proof that daring, original stories still have a place in modern cinema.
Director Soi CHEANG (鄭保瑞): Master of Dark Realism
Soi CHEANG is no stranger to raw, visceral storytelling. His previous works include:
- Dog Bite Dog
- Motorway
- Limbo (Best Film – Hong Kong Film Critics Society)
- The Monkey King series
In Mad Fate, CHEANG combines gritty visuals, symbolic rain-soaked streets, and tight psychological tension to create a version of Hong Kong that’s both dreamlike and disturbingly real.
Why You Should Watch Mad Fate
If you’re looking for more than just a typical thriller, Mad Fate delivers a story that is:
- Psychologically intense – It explores themes of mental illness, obsession, and fatalism.
- Cinematically bold – With stylistic direction, rain-drenched streets, and metaphysical motifs, the film evokes a noir aesthetic with a Hong Kong twist.
- Philosophically deep – The film dares to ask: is it our choices that shape destiny, or are we merely puppets of fate?
Whether you love psychological thrillers, spiritual dramas, or character-driven stories, Mad Fate will leave you questioning the true power of choice.
Watch it now on Viu and ask yourself: Can fate really be changed—or is it already written?
