Rigor Mortis

Rigor Mortis

Year: 2014

Runtime: 105 min

Language: Chinese

Director: Juno Mak

ActionDramaHorror

A troubled actor, struggling with inner demons, finds himself trapped in a decaying apartment building where the boundary between the living and the dead has blurred. He confronts vengeful spirits and a determined vampire hunter as he battles his own despair and the escalating supernatural threats within the building's eerie atmosphere.

Rigor Mortis (2014) – Spoiler-Free Movie Summary & Plot Overview

Get a spoiler-free look at Rigor Mortis (2014) with a clear plot overview that covers the setting, main characters, and story premise—without revealing key twists or the ending. Perfect for deciding if this film is your next watch.

In a grim, rain‑slick district of Hong Kong, a crumbling apartment block looms like a relic of forgotten lives. Its narrow corridors, flickering lights, and peeling wallpaper create a claustrophobic world where the ordinary and the uncanny press close together. The building itself feels alive, its walls humming with whispers that suggest the boundary between the living and the dead has begun to fray, setting a tone that is both oppressive and strangely magnetic.

At the heart of this decay is Chin Siu‑ho, a once‑celebrated actor whose personal loss has driven him to the edge of despair. Seeking anonymity in the building’s desolate rooms, he finds the solitude he craves quickly eroded by an atmosphere thick with unseen presences. As his inner turmoil deepens, he becomes increasingly aware that the apartment’s eerie silence is punctuated by forces that refuse to stay hidden, hinting at a struggle that will test his resolve far beyond the confines of his own mind.

Among the building’s other residents is Yau, a quietly diligent neighbor whose day job conceals a lineage of vampire hunting. He moves through the hallways with a blend of ordinary routine and an undercurrent of purpose, offering a glimpse of a world where ancient folklore collides with modern survival. Shadows also linger in the form of a reclusive practitioner of black magic, whose presence adds another layer of mystique to the already volatile environment, suggesting that the building harbors a tapestry of secrets waiting to be unearthed.

The film unfolds as a slow‑burning supernatural drama, steeped in mood‑driven visuals and a lingering sense of dread. Each hallway echo, each dimly lit doorway, invites curiosity while reminding the audience that grief can warp perception, turning ordinary spaces into haunted stages where reality and illusion blur. The interplay of personal anguish and otherworldly threat promises a haunting journey that lingers long after the lights dim.

Last Updated: October 07, 2025 at 13:26

Mobile App Preview

Coming soon on iOS and Android

The Plot Explained Mobile App

From blockbusters to hidden gems — dive into movie stories anytime, anywhere. Save your favorites, discover plots faster, and never miss a twist again.

Sign up to be the first to know when we launch. Your email stays private — always.

Explore Movie Threads

Discover curated groups of movies connected by mood, themes, and story style. Browse collections built around emotion, atmosphere, and narrative focus to easily find films that match what you feel like watching right now.

Movies about grief and vengeful spirits like Rigor Mortis

Characters drowning in loss confront vengeful spirits in a decaying, claustrophobic world.Explore more movies like Rigor Mortis where characters haunted by loss and despair find themselves trapped in a battle with vengeful spirits. These supernatural horror and drama films share a bleak tone, heavy emotional weight, and a claustrophobic atmosphere where the line between reality and nightmare blurs.

bleakdespairingeeriemelancholicclaustrophobictragicsupernatural dread

Narrative Summary

The narrative follows a protagonist consumed by grief or guilt, often leading them to a haunted or spiritually active location. Their internal despair manifests as external supernatural threats, creating a feedback loop of psychological and paranormal torment that escalates towards a tragic or bleak resolution.

Why These Movies?

These films are grouped by their core conflict: the intersection of deep personal sorrow with aggressive supernatural phenomena. They share a consistently dark and melancholic mood, a steady pacing that builds dread, and a focus on the emotional weight of loss as a catalyst for horror.

Movies with a blurred reality twist like Rigor Mortis

Characters trapped in a single location question if their terrifying ordeal is real or a dying hallucination.If you liked the final twist in Rigor Mortis, discover similar movies where a character's terrifying experience in an isolated setting is revealed to be a dying dream or psychological fracture. These complex horror and thriller films feature claustrophobic atmospheres, high tension, and ambiguous narratives.

eerienightmarishclaustrophobicmind-bendingsurrealtensepsychologically complex

Narrative Summary

Stories unfold almost entirely within a confined, oppressive space, building a nightmarish scenario. The plot's complexity hinges on a final revelation that recontextualizes the events, suggesting they may be a hallucination, dream, or altered state of consciousness, leaving the audience to piece together what was 'real'.

Why These Movies?

These movies are linked by their core narrative structure: a confined setting, a high-tensity surreal or supernatural plot, and a complex twist that challenges the story's reality. They share an eerie, nightmarish mood and a deliberate pacing that builds towards a mind-bending conclusion.

Unlock the Full Story of Rigor Mortis

Don't stop at just watching — explore Rigor Mortis 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 Rigor Mortis is all about. Plus, discover what's next after the movie.

Rigor Mortis Summary

Read a complete plot summary of Rigor Mortis, including all key story points, character arcs, and turning points. This in-depth recap is ideal for understanding the narrative structure or reviewing what happened in the movie.

Rigor Mortis Summary

Rigor Mortis Timeline

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

Rigor Mortis Timeline

Characters, Settings & Themes in Rigor Mortis

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

Characters, Settings & Themes in Rigor Mortis

More About Rigor Mortis

Visit What's After the Movie to explore more about Rigor Mortis: 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 Rigor Mortis

Similar Movies to Rigor Mortis

Discover movies like Rigor Mortis 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.