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Screamfest 24: "Ba" - movie review


A father’s desperate choice to become a Grim Reaper leads to a haunting struggle between duty and family in Ba. (Screamfest)


With so many films showcasing badass moms battling the undead and demonic forces to protect their families, it’s time for dads to get their moment. In Ba, a supernatural drama from Benjamin Wong, we follow a struggling father trying to make it work as a single parent. When life takes a dark turn, he makes a desperate choice—becoming a Grim Reaper and slowly abandoning his daughter to fulfill his new duties. As his daughter grows suspicious of his activities, real-world struggles start to blend with the haunting horrors he faces daily. Ba is a dark family drama with a supernatural twist. While the horror element stems from his role in delivering death, the real terror lies in the emotional weight of single parenthood.


Ba is an instant standout, diving into the well-loved Grim Reaper trope. One of the unexpected themes we’ve noticed at this year’s festival is the focus on family dynamics, particularly the struggles of low-income families and social services. Wong, like many contemporary filmmakers, seems acutely aware of the challenges faced by families amid the rising cost of living and limited opportunities. An interesting parallel emerges with the subplot involving an injured dancer, a nod to Apartment 7A from Paramount, which also explored this theme. Lawrence Kao (Daniel/Ba) brings his urban dance background into the story, teaching his daughter Collette (Kai Cech) to respect the greats, adding depth to their strained relationship. The difficulty of balancing a creative career while being a single parent is palpable, making Daniel’s actions heroic in theory but heartbreaking to watch as he continuously neglects his daughter. The film sometimes feels more like a dread-filled family drama than supernatural horror, especially until the third act kicks in.


While Ba is captivating, it has a few pacing issues, with certain scenes that don’t add much to the overall narrative except to showcase Kao’s performance—which, while impressive, slows the story. The outcome of the film is somewhat predictable, but it ties everything together well. Ba was an unexpected treat this season, and we expect big things from Wong moving forward. Fans of shows like Dead Like Me, The Grim Adventures of Billy & Mandy, or any series featuring the Grim Reaper should definitely check this out.


Rating: 4/5


Director: Benjamin Wong

Screenwriter: Benjamin Wong

Producer: Elizabeth Ai

Cast: Lawrence Kao, Kai Cech, Brian Thompson, Michael Paul Chan, Shelli Boone, Jonathan Medina

Sound Design: Sung Rok Choi


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