Vampire Buster

Vampire Buster

Year: 1989

Runtime: 93 mins

Language: Cantonese

Directors: Norman Law Man, Stanley Siu Wing

ComedyHorror

In ancient China a priest defeats a demon and seals its spirit inside a vase. Centuries later, during the Cultural Revolution, rebels seek the vessel from the priest’s descendant, who throws it into the sea. The vase is recovered in Hong Kong, auctioned to a councilman, but the demon escapes, possesses him, and unleashes terror across the city.

Warning: spoilers below!

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Timeline & Setting – Vampire Buster (1989)

Explore the full timeline and setting of Vampire Buster (1989). Follow every major event in chronological order and see how the environment shapes the story, characters, and dramatic tension.

Time period

Late 20th century

The events unfold in modern times, with a Ming dynasty vase triggering a clash between traditional rituals and city-life danger. The shadow of the Cultural Revolution lingers in backstory, even as the main action occurs in present-day Hong Kong and mainland China. The plot threads together past relics and current urban tensions.

Location

Jiangxi, China, Hong Kong

The story moves from the rural provinces of Jiangxi in mainland China to the dense urban landscape of Hong Kong. A Ming dynasty vase travels from a seaside location to a high-stakes charity auction in the city. The setting contrasts ancient relics with contemporary wealth and urban life surrounding the Kei family.

🏯 Ming relics 🗺️ Cross-border setting 🏙️ Modern Hong Kong

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 13:36

Main Characters – Vampire Buster (1989)

Meet the key characters of Vampire Buster (1989), with detailed profiles, motivations, and roles in the plot. Understand their emotional journeys and what they reveal about the film’s deeper themes.

Cheung Sap-yat (Kent Cheng Jak-Si)

A seasoned exorcist from Jiangxi who travels to Hong Kong to confront a demon inhabiting a Ming dynasty vase. He relies on spiritual knowledge and ritual to battle supernatural forces, serving as the story’s ethical anchor against the demon.

🧿 Exorcist 🗝️ Relics 🧭 Journey

Jacky (Jacky Cheung)

Stephen’s son who recently dropped out from school abroad and becomes entangled with the vase’s possession. He bridges modern youth with ancient danger, showing courage and loyalty under pressure.

🎒 Rebellious youth 🧭 Family ties 💼 High-stakes

Chan Pak-tung (Natalis Chan Pak-Cheung)

A fraudulent fortune teller who pretends to perform Taoist rituals. He schemes with Mabel to swindle money from Stephen, becoming a human antagonist whose greed intensifies the supernatural threat.

🧿 Fraud 🗝️ Rituals 🪙 Money

Stephen Kei (Councillor Steven Kay)

A councilor who becomes vulnerable to the demon’s influence after acquiring the vase. His possession-driven behavior tests family loyalty and threatens to unravel the Kei household.

🏛️ Politics 🩸 Possession 🧭 Power

Mabel

Stephen’s girlfriend who collaborates with Chan Pak-tung in the scam. Her involvement demonstrates how personal motives intersect with the supernatural danger.

💘 Love 🕯️ Deception 🧭 Scheming

Cat

Jacky’s girlfriend who becomes entwined in the events and serves as a conduit for Cheung’s exorcism efforts, highlighting human courage amid peril.

😺 Companionship 🗯️ Tension 🕯️ Supernatural

Micky

Jacky’s younger sister who falls prey to possession, intensifying the family’s danger and the urgency of breaking the demon’s hold.

👧 Youth 🌀 Risk 🧭 Family

Demon from the Vase

A malevolent spirit released from the Ming vase, capable of possession and manipulation to achieve destruction. The culmination centers on spiritual power versus mortal fear.

👹 Evil 🕯️ Possession 🗝️ Force

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 13:36

Major Themes – Vampire Buster (1989)

Explore the central themes of Vampire Buster (1989), from psychological, social, and emotional dimensions to philosophical messages. Understand what the film is really saying beneath the surface.

🕯️ Exorcism

A malevolent demon inhabits a Ming vase, forcing characters to confront belief, ritual, and power. Cheung Sap-yat uses ancient Taoist rites to confront the supernatural threat. The exorcism scenes anchor the narrative and test courage under danger.

💰 Greed

The vase becomes a coveted treasure, triggering a multimillion-dollar auction and schemes to swindle Stephen. Money and deceit escalate the peril, clashing with spiritual protection and family safety. The pursuit of wealth reveals the darker side of human nature.

👪 Family & lineage

The plot pulls in multiple family members—Jacky, Stephen, Micky—who must navigate the demon’s influence and protect loved ones. The demon manipulates relationships, underscoring the burden of heritage and the cost of loyalty. Redemption hinges on collective resolve and sacrifices.

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 13:36

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Vampire Buster Summary

Read a complete plot summary of Vampire Buster, 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.

Vampire Buster Summary

Vampire Buster Timeline

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

Vampire Buster Timeline

More About Vampire Buster

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