The Boxer’s Omen

The Boxer’s Omen

Year: 1983

Runtime: 105 mins

Language: Cantonese

Director: Kuei Chih-Hung

ActionHorrorFantasy

After his brother is crippled in the ring by a cheating Thai boxer, Chan Hung travels to Thailand seeking revenge. While pursuing his foe, he discovers a mysterious omen that could lift his family’s ancient curse. Soon he becomes entangled in a spiraling web of fate, Buddhist curses and black magic.

Warning: spoilers below!

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Timeline – The Boxer’s Omen (1983)

Trace every key event in The Boxer’s Omen (1983) 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

Opening boxing match ends in tragedy

A brutal boxing match unfolds between Wing and Bu Bo. Wing wins, but Bu Bo lands a sucker punch after the bell, leaving Wing paralyzed. This sets the stage for the underworld and personal vendettas that drive the plot.

Opening scene Boxing arena, Hong Kong
2

Hung abducted as rivals strike

Moments after Wing's victory, leaders of Hung's organization are killed by rival gangsters. Hung himself is abducted, and his captors are killed by an apparition of a Buddhist monk. The encounter triggers disturbing religious visions in Hung.

Shortly after opening Hong Kong
3

Wing asks Hung to seek vengeance

Wing asks Hung to avenge him by targeting Bu Bo. Hung travels to Thailand to challenge Bu Bo and pursue the lead on the monk visions. The mission shifts Hung from a street boss to a monk-detective figure.

Following Wing's request Thailand
4

Temple revelation of prophecy

In a Thai Buddhist temple, Hung seeks information about his visions. The temple informs him that his coming was prophesied by Qing Zhao, the deceased head abbot. This sets the quest into a supernatural lineage.

During visit seeking guidance Buddhist temple, Thailand
5

Qing Zhao's past and prophecy

A flashback reveals Qing Zhao's past life: he traveled from Hong Kong to fight black magicians and was eventually killed when a spider weapon stabbed his eyes. Despite this, his soul persists and he predicts a twin of himself (Hung) in the current life arriving after his death. This backstory ties Hung directly to Qing's immortality quest.

Past life backstory Hong Kong / temple (flashback)
6

Hung becomes Baluo Kaidi, monk hunter

Hung accepts Qing's plea and renames himself Baluo Kaidi. He endures brutal training, is granted magical powers, and is ordained as a hunter of black magic. The transformation marks a shift from gangster to sacred warrior.

During training Thailand temple
7

Ritual duel against Qing's killer

Baluo travels to confront the magician who killed Qing. He neutralizes the rival's spells and brutally defeats him in a ritual duel. This confirms his powers and commitment to the monkhood.

After training Hong Kong
8

Return to Hong Kong and break vow

Baluo returns to Hong Kong and violates one of his monastic vows by having sex with his girlfriend. The act triggers tension with his order and deepens the conflict with his spiritual mission.

After ritual duel Hong Kong
9

Bu Bo fight and the undead threat

During Baluo's fight with Bu Bo, the surviving black magicians begin rites to avenge Qing. They create an undead warrior that threatens both fighters. A magical spell injures Qing (and disorients Baluo), plunging him into hellish visions.

During the Bu Bo bout Hong Kong boxing arena
10

Search for invulnerability liquid

Baluo returns to Thailand to pursue the menacing magicians. He and his master extract an invulnerability-granting liquid from a plant in an abandoned temple. The discovery provides the power needed to withstand the magical threats.

After Bu Bo bout Abandoned temple, Thailand
11

Vows renewal and expulsion

During the renewal of his vows, Baluo lies when asked about chastity, triggering a magical reaction that expels him from the temple. The deception tests his faith and complicates his path to immortality.

During vows renewal Thai temple
12

Qing's demand: ashes of a past self

Qing reveals that he will die unless Balou retrieves the ashes of one of Qing's past selves, revered as a relic in Nepal. The quest expands beyond local battles to a global hunt for a relic.

After expulsion Thai temple (meeting with Qing)
13

Journey to Kathmandu, Nepal

Balou travels to Kathmandu, Nepal, specifically the Nador Buddhist Lamasery, where the relic is guarded behind a suite of magical defenses. The journey is perilous and mystical.

Journey begun after expulsion Kathmandu, Nepal (Nador Buddhist Lamasery)
14

Overcoming defenses and gathering the ashes

Balou overcomes the lamasery's defenses, consumes the invulnerability potion, and withstands attacks from the undead warrior. The ashes manifest their power and obliterate both the undead and the remaining magicians.

During retrieval Nador Lamasery, Kathmandu
15

Spider stingers and Qing's rebirth

Spider-stingers detach from Balou's eyes as he holds the relics. He returns to the monastery in Thailand, where Qing has healed himself into an immortal being with iridescent crystal skin. Balou quietly exits the temple, having fulfilled the prophecy.

Ending Thailand monastery

Last Updated: October 09, 2025 at 14:28

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Characters, Settings & Themes in The Boxer’s Omen

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