The Soul (film)

The Soul is a Chinese-Taiwanese neo-noir sci-fi mystery crime film based on Jiang Bo's (江波) novel Yihun Youshu (移魂有术). It is directed by Cheng Wei-hao and stars Chang Chen, Janine Chang, Sun Anke, and Christopher Lee.

Plot
The film begins with the brutal murder of CEO Wang Shi-cong, who developed futuristic cancer treatments. His wife, Li Yan, is found holding the murder weapon. Detective Ah-Bao and her prosecutor husband, Liang Wen-chao, are involved in the investigation. Liang is also battling cancer, and the couple is advised to consider RNA restoration technology.

Li Yan claims Wang's son, Tian-you, committed the murder, supported by Dr. Wan and the maid's testimonies. Surveillance reveals Li Yan experiencing epileptic fits and hallucinations involving Wang's first wife, Tang Su-zhen, who had cursed Wang before her suicide. Liang suspects a link between Li Yan's fits and her behavior.

Further investigation reveals Dr. Wan and Li Yan's involvement in a scheme to transfer Tang's brain cells to Li Yan. Liang discovers Tang's affair with Dr. Wan and accuses him of resurrecting his lover in Li Yan. Meanwhile, Wang Tian-you is arrested, and when confronted with Li Yan, she seemingly channels Tang, thanking Tian-you for the murder.

Liang has an epileptic episode, learns his cancer has spread, and discovers his wife tampered with evidence for his treatment. Li Yan, now CEO, is confronted by Liang, who believes Wang transferred his brain into Li Yan. Dr. Wan confesses to the brain transfer, driven by his love for Wang, and pleads with Liang, who refuses to protect him due to the evidence tampering.

In a final confrontation, Dr. Wan attacks Li Yan, and Liang confesses to tampering with evidence. Li Yan pleads guilty, Dr. Wan commits suicide, and Ah-Bao visits Li Yan in prison, showing her the baby. A gesture by Li Yan hints at Liang's presence in her.

Cast

 * Chang Chen as Liang Wen-chao
 * Janine Chang as Ah-Bao
 * Sun Anke as Li Yan
 * Christopher Lee as Doctor Wan Yufan
 * Baijia Zhang as Tang Su-zhen
 * Erek Lin as Wang Tian-you
 * Samuel Ku as Wang Shi-cong
 * Lü Hsueh-feng as Zhang
 * Daniel Chang (張哲豪) as Liang

Production
Director Cheng Wei-hao asked male lead Chang Chen to lose 10 kilograms and shave his head for his role as cancer patient Liang Wenchao. Chang lost 12 kg within three months. Janine Chang changed her hairstyle for the film, cutting her hair short for her role as a police officer. In preparation for filming, Cheng Wei-hao and Janine Chang visited police stations to talk to female officers about their work and observe police officers' uniforms and behavior on the job.

The film began shooting on 20 November 2019, and began post-production in early 2020.

Six minutes of the film were cut from the mainland Chinese version due to censorship, mainly of violence.

Release
The Soul was released in mainland China on 15 January 2021, and grossed RMB111 million.

The film was released on 29 January 2021, in Taiwan and grossed TWD50.9 million.

The film was released internationally for streaming on Netflix, on 14 April 2021.

Reception
On Douban, The Soul initially reached an average rating of 7.3 out of 10, which fell to 7.1 soon after its release. It received an average score of 8.0 on Maoyan and 8.1 on Taopiaopiao.

Critic Sean Aversa praised the film for its intricate and unpredictable plot, saying that it was "exceptionally well written" and the cast's performance was excellent. Decider called it "a dark, dense film that’ll reward attentive viewers and turn away those looking for light entertainment", while Han Cheung of the Taipei Times lauded its "suspenseful, nuanced storytelling". Jiang Bo, author of the original novel, said that the adaptation was extremely successful.

On the other hand, Derek Elley panned the film, calling it "relentlessly downbeat" and described the plot as "convoluted and outrageous".