-->
Year: 2008
Language: Chinese
Directors: Johnnie To, Ka-Fai Wai
In the midst of a series of brazen heists and murders, Inspector Ho is tasked with solving the mystery surrounding a missing police gun. As he delves deeper into the case, he turns to his enigmatic mentor, Bun, who uses an unorthodox profiling technique that blurs the lines between reality and madness, leaving Ho questioning what's real and what's just a product of his own paranoid mind.
Warning: spoilers below!
Haven’t seen Mad Detective yet? This summary contains major spoilers. Bookmark the page, watch the movie, and come back for the full breakdown. If you're ready, scroll on and relive the story!
Chan Kwai-Bun, portrayed by Sean Lau, is a highly skilled detective endowed with a remarkable ability: the power to perceive a person’s inner personalities or ghosts. However, his career takes a drastic turn when he mutilates himself—severing his ear and presenting it to his outgoing superior, which leads to his forced retirement.
Meanwhile, Inspector Ho Ka-On, played by Andy On, is trying to unravel the mystery surrounding Wong Kwok-Chu, a colleague who mysteriously vanished during a chase alongside his partner, Ko Chi-Wai (played by Lam Ka-Tung). Although Wong has been missing for a staggering 18 months, his firearm has been implicated in a spate of armed robberies. In light of this, Ho seeks the help of Bun, who now lives a reclusive life with his imaginary wife May Cheung, portrayed by Kelly Lin.
As Bun delves deeper into the case, he uncovers a shocking truth: Chi-Wai is not merely one man but rather a collective of seven spirits—each embodying a facet of the seven deadly sins. The primary spirit appears as a shrewd businesswoman. Bun theorizes that Chi-Wai’s gun has fallen into the hands of a suspect named Naresh Sherma and harbors suspicions that Chi-Wai murdered his partner Wong to conceal the loss of his own weapon.
During an investigation at the scene of Wong’s death, Bun takes crucial evidence including Ho’s gun, police identification, and even a vehicle to continue his pursuit of justice independently. When he encounters Ho again, he perceives Ho’s inner self—a frightened, confused child—and shares his suspicions about Chi-Wai’s involvement in Wong’s murder intertwined with a conspiracy against Naresh Sherma.
However, Ho’s attempts to apprehend Chi-Wai falter as he tries to prove that Chi-Wai carries Wong’s murder weapon; his efforts are thwarted, particularly as Chi-Wai manages to manipulate police records. Compounding the tension, Ho begins to place trust in Chi-Wai.
Subsequently, the pair venture into a warehouse to track down Naresh Sherma. Unbeknownst to them, Bun is covertly observing and attempts to alert Ho of the looming danger, warning that Chi-Wai may have darker intentions. Unfortunately, Ho dismisses Bun’s warning, leading to a catastrophic encounter within the warehouse, where a gunfight ensues, resulting in the deaths of Sharma, Chi-Wai, and Bun. In a tragic twist, Ho survives.
As Chan Kwai-Bun takes his final breaths, he glimpses Ho’s inner child, receiving counsel from a female spirit, urging him to devise an alibi while Ho, similar to Chi-Wai, engages in the frantic rearrangement of firearms to fabricate a cover story.
Last Updated: November 15, 2024 at 16:02
Mad Detective (2008) Scene-by-Scene Movie Timeline
Mad Detective (2008) Movie Characters, Themes & Settings
Movies Like Mad Detective – Similar Titles You’ll Enjoy
Murder Mystery (2019) Full Summary & Key Details
Dai si gin (2006) Full Movie Breakdown
The Gangster, the Cop, the Devil (2019) Story Summary & Characters
Maniac Cop (1988) Story Summary & Characters
Dead or Alive (2001) Full Movie Breakdown
Death Warrant (1990) Full Summary & Key Details
Infernal Affairs (2004) Detailed Story Recap
Mad City (1997) Full Movie Breakdown
The Kid Detective (2020) Complete Plot Breakdown
Detective Story (1951) Complete Plot Breakdown
Murder by Death (1976) Full Summary & Key Details
Hollywood Homicide (2003) Plot Summary & Ending Explained
Madhouse (1990) Spoiler-Packed Plot Recap
Madtown (2018) Ending Explained & Film Insights
Detective Byomkesh Bakshy! (2015) Full Movie Breakdown