Watches
October 01, 2021
It's been a while since I watched anything by Zero Chou. She made a name for herself with Spider Lilies, but didn't manage to keep the momentum going. After a lot of TV work, Chou is finally back with a theatrical release. And she made it count too. Wrath of Desire isn't perfect, but it's very intense.
Phoenix kills a thief who broke into her house, but she is convicted for the crime anyway. In court, she meets Jade. Jade is supposed to be the prosecutor, but the two have a sensual night together, complicated the case. Jade had a very strict upbringing though, and she can't just admit she's gay, leaving Phoenix hanging.
Chou struggles with the budget, but she makes the scenes that matter count. The performances are decent, the characters are intriguing, and the plot is full of surprises. Wrath of Desire is a gripping romantic drama with solid mystery and thriller elements to push the intrigue, no doubt knocking down some taboos in the process.