John Hsu’s Dead Talents Society is a gleefully dark, supernatural comedy that invites viewers into a whimsical afterlife where scaring the living is not just a hobby—it’s a necessity. The film follows a newly deceased teen (Gingle Wang) who, after a life of feeling invisible, must now haunt the living to avoid disappearing completely. In this strange world, ghosts are treated like celebrities, competing for relevance through terrifying performances to maintain their existence.
At its core, Dead Talents Society explores the pressures of visibility, fame, and the idea of self-worth. Struggling to find her place in life, Wang’s character is thrust into an afterlife where being seen is most important. With the help of a fading ghost diva (Sandrine Pinna), she navigates the high-stakes world of professional hauntings, learning that success in this realm is not just about being scary—it’s about being remembered.
What makes the film stand out is its ability to balance humor and heart. Beneath the blood and comedic scares is a thoughtful message about validation and acceptance. It touches on the societal pressure to be seen and the lengths we go to for recognition, but also highlights the power of embracing one’s individuality, even if that means fading into the background.
John Hsu’s sharp direction brings a lively, satirical edge to the narrative, while the performances from Wang and Pinna deliver both laugh-out-loud moments and emotional depth. Dead Talents Society ultimately reminds us that self-worth doesn’t always come from external validation, and sometimes, it’s okay not to be in the spotlight.
Dead Talents Society is playing at TIFF ’24. For more information, click here.
