PEG O' MY HEART (赎梦) (2025)

Genre: Thriller
Director: Nick Cheung
Cast: Nick Cheung, Fala Chen, Terrance Lau, Rebecca Zhu, Ben Yeun, Julius Brian Siswojo, Natalie Hsu
Runtime: 1 hr 38 mins
Rating: NC16 (Disturbing Scenes and Coarse Language)
Released By: Shaw Organisation
Official Website: 

Opening Day: 29 May 2025

Synopsis: Psychiatrist Dr. MAN is skilled at extracting the deepest secrets of his patients. One day, he encounters CHOI, a cab driver, and finds his condition deeply disturbing. A few days later, CHOI has been ordered to undergo a psychiatric evaluation and MAN quickly realises that CHOI struggles to differentiate between dreams and reality. MAN is determined to get to the bottom of his story. As CHOI's story unfolds, MAN begins to experience disturbing and perplexing dreams. Are his night terrors a result of repressed memories, or is there a price to pay for uncovering the ghosts hidden in CHOI's closet?

Movie Review:

Hong Kong actor Nick Cheung has come a long way since his comedic days in The Conman (1998) and The Tricky Master (1999). Once known for his funnyman roles in the late 1990s, he has since reinvented himself as a serious dramatic actor, delivering gripping performances in Beast Stalker (2008), The Stool Pigeon (2010), and Nightfall (2012). He even bulked up to play a former boxing champion in Unbeatable (2013), a role that earned him multiple Best Actor awards.

Now 60, Cheung has also made his mark behind the camera, directing and starring in gritty films like Hungry Ghost Ritual (2014), Keeper of Darkness (2015), and The Trough (2018). From cracking jokes to cracking skulls and calling the shots on set, he really does it all — talk about a hardworking guy!

In his latest directorial effort, Nick Cheung ventures into the human psyche, exploring the origins of nightmares and the haunting consequences of past actions. Like his past works, he also steps in front of the camera, portraying Choi — a deeply troubled taxi driver grappling with a traumatic incident from his past. Emotionally unhinged and on the brink, Choi becomes a danger not only to himself but to the unsuspecting passengers who step into his cab.

Just when you think things can’t get any darker, we meet his wife Fiona, played with unsettling intensity by Fala Chen. Best known for her polished image, the Chinese-American actress delivers a raw and transformative performance as a woman teetering on the edge of sanity. It's the kind of gritty, emotionally charged role actors dream of — a true test of their range and willingness to dive into chaos.

Then there's Dr Man, played by Terrance Lau — a sharp, composed psychiatrist determined to unravel the mysteries of Choi’s troubled past. On the surface, he’s the classic do-gooder, committed to helping his patients, even if it means bending a few rules along the way. But in a twist that feels is somewhat expected from a drama like this, Dr Man is plagued by a recurring nightmare of his own, hinting that he may not be as emotionally steady — or as fit to treat others — as he appears.

On paper, the screenplay co-written by Cheung and Ryan Ling holds strong promise, with the potential to grip audiences much like Christopher Nolan’s Inception did with its psychological twists and layered narrative. However, as the 98-minute film unfolds, a nagging sense sets in: the thriller seems more invested in showcasing sleek, experimental visuals than in truly delving into the complexities of the human psyche. Scene after scene dazzles with stylised camerawork and flashy editing, but these moments often feel more like aesthetic exercises than meaningful contributions to the story.

It’s still an engaging cinematic experience, thanks to some truly hair-raising imagery and a cast fully committed to their roles. The actors anchor the film with compelling performances that keep viewers invested from start to finish. While the narrative unfolds in a somewhat predictable fashion, it nonetheless leaves a lasting impression — though you can’t help but wonder if it had the potential to dig deeper and deliver an even greater emotional impact.

Movie Rating:

(This thriller leans heavily on striking visual style while telling a cautionary tale about how the past can haunt and ultimately consume a person)

Review by John Li