Soul of a Demon

Soul of a Demon

Year: 2007

Runtime: 122 mins

Language: Chinese

Director: Chang Tso-chi

Drama

Che (Tseng Yi‑che) comes back to the Nanfang’ao fishing port after serving time for his younger brother Ren’s (Cheng Yu‑jen) killing of mobster Shun’s son (Hsu Ling‑tsang). Meanwhile Ren returns from hiding in Japan accompanied by their father Chang (Michio Hayashida), who is preparing to confront Shun and settle the lingering feud.

Warning: spoilers below!

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Timeline – Soul of a Demon (2007)

Trace every key event in Soul of a Demon (2007) with our detailed, chronological timeline. Perfect for unpacking nonlinear stories, spotting hidden connections, and understanding how each scene builds toward the film’s climax. Whether you're revisiting or decoding for the first time, this timeline gives you the full picture.

1

Yi-Che takes the blame for his brother

Three years ago, Yi-Che sacrificed his own freedom by taking the blame for Ah Ren's accidental killing and was sent to prison. This act was meant to protect his brother and keep the family together. The weight of guilt followed him as he left home.

Three years ago Nanfang'ao
2

Father and Ah Ren flee to Japan; mother drowns

While Yi-Che served his sentence, their father fled with Ah Ren to Japan, abandoning the mother. She ultimately committed suicide by drowning herself in the ocean near Nanfang'ao. The family fracture set the stage for years of unresolved conflict.

Three years ago Japan; Nanfang'ao coast
3

Ah Shun grows in power during Yi-Che's imprisonment

During Yi-Che's time in prison, Ah Shun expands his influence and becomes a figure of intimidation. He vows to never forget the past and to settle the old scores with Yi-Che's family. The feud starts to take a more violent shape.

During imprisonment (three years ago) Nanfang'ao
4

Yi-Che is released and returns home

After three years behind bars, Yi-Che returns to the fishing port of Nanfang'ao. He carries bitterness toward his father and the life that was pulled away from him. The town's quiet surface hides the storm now brewing.

Present day Nanfang'ao
5

Yi-Che confronts abandonment and loss

Back in town, Yi-Che grapples with his mother's suicide and his father's disappearance. He must confront the painful memories that shaped his youth. The past continues to shape his present.

Present day Nanfang'ao
6

Father and Ah Ren's return rekindles tensions

The father and Ah Ren's arrival reopen old wounds and inflame the feud with local gangs. Old loyalties are questioned as new alliances form and old enmities resurface. The community braces for fresh violence.

Present day Nanfang'ao
7

Yi-Che hopes to reunite with Ah Pei

Yi-Che longs to start anew with his girlfriend Ah Pei after his release. Their plans for a peaceful future are tested by the resurfacing past. The couple's resolve is pushed to the breaking point.

Present day Nanfang'ao
8

Father allies with Ah Shun; the rift widens

Yi-Che's father seeks gangster alliances by approaching Ah Shun. This move deepens the conflict and pulls Yi-Che into the escalating power struggles. The line between family loyalty and survival becomes blurred.

Present day Nanfang'ao
9

Ah Shun humiliates the father and Ah Ren

Ah Shun takes steps to humiliate Yi-Che's father and his younger brother Ah Ren. The vendetta turns deeply personal as old wounds resurface. The town watches as tensions escalate.

Present day Nanfang'ao harbor
10

Xiao Gui's death triggers a cycle of violence

During a confrontation, Ah Shun accidentally kills Ah Ren's girlfriend Xiao Gui, triggering a violent eruption of grievances. The incident shatters any remaining chance of reconciliation. Yi-Che finds himself drawn deeper into the cycle of retaliation.

Present day Nanfang'ao harbor
11

The feud threatens the town

The long-standing feud now threatens everyone in Nanfang'ao, pulling families and their allies toward inevitable confrontation. Loyalties are tested and secrets from the past are dragged into the open. The community braces for a violent reckoning.

Present day Nanfang'ao
12

Yi-Che searches for identity and reconciliation

Amid the turmoil, Yi-Che questions who he is and what kind of future he wants. He longs for reconciliation with his family while weighing the costs of escape from the cycle of revenge. The story leaves him at a crossroads, torn between duty and personal peace.

Present day Nanfang'ao

Last Updated: October 09, 2025 at 16:36

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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.

Slow burn atmospheric family dramas like Soul of a Demon

Quiet, melancholic stories of families fractured by past sins and lingering conflicts.If you liked the quiet tension and family conflict in Soul of a Demon, explore more movies like it. These similar dramas feature heavy emotional weight, slow pacing, and a melancholic tone, focusing on families grappling with grief, loyalty, and the consequences of past actions.

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Narrative Summary

Stories in this thread often follow characters returning to a place haunted by family history, where long-buried conflicts resurface. The narrative unfolds through observation and emotional reflection rather than fast-paced action, focusing on the internal turmoil of characters trying to reconcile with their past or protect their kin.

Why These Movies?

These movies are grouped together because they share a specific combination of a slow, observant pace, a heavy and melancholic emotional tone, and a central focus on complex family dynamics set within a strong, atmospheric sense of place. They prioritize mood and character depth over plot speed.

Movies about bleak homecoming and revenge like Soul of a Demon

Stories of characters returning home to confront a violent past that refuses to stay buried.Find more films similar to Soul of a Demon that explore themes of bleak homecoming and unresolved revenge. These movies feature characters confronting violent pasts, high emotional intensity, and ambiguous endings, perfect if you liked the tense family feud and moral complexity in Soul of a Demon.

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Narrative Summary

The core pattern involves a character, often after a period of absence or imprisonment, returning to a community bound by honor or violence. Their arrival disrupts a fragile peace, forcing a confrontation with old enemies and testing loyalties. The journey typically leads to further tragedy or an ambiguous resolution, questioning the very idea of closure.

Why These Movies?

Movies fit this thread through their shared focus on the 'homecoming' trope fused with themes of revenge, loyalty, and betrayal. They exhibit high intensity, heavy emotional weight, and often conclude with bleak or ambiguous endings, creating a coherent vibe of fatalism and the inescapability of violence.

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Soul of a Demon Summary

Read a complete plot summary of Soul of a Demon, 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.

Soul of a Demon Summary

Characters, Settings & Themes in Soul of a Demon

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

Characters, Settings & Themes in Soul of a Demon

Soul of a Demon Spoiler-Free Summary

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Soul of a Demon Spoiler-Free Summary

More About Soul of a Demon

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