Mad Detective

Mad Detective

Year: 2008

Language: Chinese

Directors: Johnnie To, Ka-Fai Wai

ActionThrillerCrime

Amidst a string of daring robberies and killings, Inspector Ho investigates the disappearance of a police firearm. Seeking help, he turns to his unusual mentor, Bun, whose unconventional profiling methods push the boundaries of sanity. As Ho follows Bun’s lead, he struggles to distinguish reality from delusion, increasingly uncertain of his own perception and mental stability as the case intensifies.

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!

Mad Detective (2008) – Full Plot Summary & Ending Explained

Read the complete plot breakdown of Mad Detective (2008), including all key story events, major twists, and the ending explained in detail. Discover what really happened—and what it all means.

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

Unlock the Full Story of Mad Detective

Don't stop at just watching — explore Mad Detective in full detail. From the complete plot summary and scene-by-scene timeline to character breakdowns, thematic analysis, and a deep dive into the ending — every page helps you truly understand what Mad Detective is all about. Plus, discover what's next after the movie.

Mad Detective Timeline

Track the full timeline of Mad Detective with every major event arranged chronologically. Perfect for decoding non-linear storytelling, flashbacks, or parallel narratives with a clear scene-by-scene breakdown.

Mad Detective Timeline

Characters, Settings & Themes in Mad Detective

Discover the characters, locations, and core themes that shape Mad Detective. Get insights into symbolic elements, setting significance, and deeper narrative meaning — ideal for thematic analysis and movie breakdowns.

Characters, Settings & Themes in Mad Detective

More About Mad Detective

Visit What's After the Movie to explore more about Mad Detective: box office results, cast and crew info, production details, post-credit scenes, and external links — all in one place for movie fans and researchers.

More About Mad Detective

Similar Movies to Mad Detective

Discover movies like Mad Detective that share similar genres, themes, and storytelling elements. Whether you’re drawn to the atmosphere, character arcs, or plot structure, these curated recommendations will help you explore more films you’ll love.