Dating a Vampire

Dating a Vampire is a 2006 Hong Kong supernatural horror comedy film directed by Clarence Fok Yiu-leung and stars Lik-Sun Fong, Miki Yeung and Wah Yuen. It is a unique mix of the Horror, Comedy and Romance genres that suitably serves as a light-hearted, scary yet romantic depiction of the vampire genre.

The story revolves around two medical students, Edmond (played by Lik-Sun Fong), and Fong (played by Sammy Leung), who have recently moved into an old residential building where weird and unexplainable series of events have been observed. Amusingly, the inhabitants of the building worship ghosts and as time goes by, Edmond and Fong begin to experience firsthand the strange happenings going on around them.

Edmond, being a medical student, holds a rational outlook on life. He disregards the superstitious beliefs of the residents of the building and takes a logical approach towards occurrences. On the other hand, Fong is a lot more receptive to the local ghost folklore that seems commonplace amongst the residents. The distinctively contrasting personalities of these two characters add to the unpredictability and comedic undertones of the film.

Their lives take a dramatic turn when they meet two beautiful sisters, namely, Helen (played by Miki Yeung) and Gigi. While Fong quickly falls for Helen, Edmond starts dating Gigi. It is at this point that the main plot of the movie surfaces and the horrifying experience of dating a vampire becomes a reality. Subtle hints suggest that the sisters are potentially vampires, creating an eerie atmosphere that builds the tension in the storyline.

Amidst the terror and humor, the film also explores the idea of love and humanity. It deeply delves into the questions - Can love facilitate change? Can it go beyond the barriers of humans and the supernatural? Is it capable of taming monstrous behaviors?

Lik-Sun Fong as Edmond does an amazing job in portraying the character of a rational-minded individual who slowly gets pulled into the world of supernatural beliefs. His performance in conveying the sense of horror and humor is definitely commendable. Miki Yeung as Helen perfectly portrays the mysterious and beautiful vampire. Her role connects various plot points and moves the story ahead. Wah Yuen, who plays a significant role, deserves a special mention for his memorable performance.

Director Clarence Fok Yiu-leung has once again done a commendable job following his previous works. While the film radiates horror, his execution of scenes with such careful tonal balance of humor is an engaging aspect in itself. This movie keeps you hooked, not just with its unconventional plot, but also with the development of the characters, their interpersonal dynamics, the suspense, the thrill, and the climactic resolution.

The horror elements are efficiently blended with the intricacies of relationships and sociocultural amalgamations that offer a fresh perspective towards vampire-themed cinema. The movie’s narrative style portrays traditional Hong Kong commercial cinema at its best. The creative output shows a true blend of light-hearted horror and contemporary romance against the backdrop of a traditional setting.

In terms of cinematography, Dating a Vampire does a wonderful job of capturing its ghoulish aesthetics. The usage of dark, shadowy visuals and old residential building settings inculcate the required spookiness and build the atmosphere of suspense throughout the movie.

Dating a Vampire goes beyond traditional narrative techniques to provide a strikingly original portrayal of the horror fiction themes, blended perfectly with elements of comedy and romance. It perfectly uses the terrifying legend of vampires to portray a captivating tale of love, friendship, fear, and belief. The film serves as a contemporary take on vampire genre films and sets the foundations for a new genre – perhaps, a romantic-horror-comedy, one might say. This is a must-watch movie for lovers of the vampire sub-genre, and those who seek unique experiences in Hong Kong cinema.