Director Sam Wong Ming-sing’s latest film, Hyperthymesia, is an ambitious attempt to blend fantasy action and murder mystery. However, the film’s execution falls short due to its excessive reliance on genre clichés and illogical plot developments.
Nick Cheung Ka-fai delivers a self-aware performance as Kwok Man-bun, a former detective haunted by the murder of his twin brother. Kwok possesses hyperthymesia, a rare condition that allows him to recall every detail of his life. When a series of ritualistic murders occur, Kwok is brought out of retirement to investigate.
As Kwok investigates the case, he delves into the subconscious of the victims and suspects, using his hyperthymesia to reconstruct events. These sequences are visually appealing but ultimately serve as a distraction from the main plot. The film also introduces a supernatural element, with victims being punished by otherworldly forces. However, this element feels tacked on and fails to add depth to the story.
In addition to its convoluted plot, Hyperthymesia suffers from inconsistent pacing and an overabundance of genre clichés. The film tries to cram too many ideas into its runtime, resulting in a disjointed and unsatisfying experience.
Despite its flaws, Hyperthymesia features a talented cast and some visually interesting sequences. However, these elements are not enough to save the film from its fundamental problems. In the end, Hyperthymesia is a well-intentioned but ultimately misguided attempt to blend fantasy and mystery genres.
