Writer-director Benjamin Wong’s Ba follows Daniel (Lawrence Kao) and his daughter Collette (Kai Cech). The single father is willing to do anything to change his and his child’s fortunes. To that end, Daniel finds a way to make a lot of money, though the price he pays for it is enormous. To collect these large sums of cash, Daniel becomes a grim reaper. That’s right, when he touches people, they die. Obviously, this means that Daniel can hug or hold Collette, who does not know his secret. Can Daniel get out of this deal before it is too late? How would Collette react if she found out her dad’s face is actually a skull?
Ba delves deep into the emotional complexities of the parent-child relationship, a theme that resonates with the audience. While Wong uses traditional horror imagery at times, this is a poignant drama that portrays the unwavering love and sacrifices a parent is willing to make for their child. From the very beginning, Daniel’s love and dedication to his offspring drive his actions, and Colette’s trust in her father allows her not to question where he goes every night. This relationship is the heart of the film, and Wong has crafted it with great care to make it as believable as possible, drawing the audience into their world.

“To collect these large sums of cash, Daniel becomes a grim reaper.”
The horror bits that are present prove most effective. The stylized lighting and use of reflections create tension throughout the 79-minute runtime. A scene wherein Daniel encounters an entity who screams is very creepy. The mysterious man who collects the tokens from the grim reaper is a nice touch as he expands upon the world and creates some unease.
Kao’s portrayal of Daniel’s love is convincing, and his chemistry with Cech is palpable. The agony each death he’s responsible for causes is never in question. Cech’s performance is equally compelling. She embodies a range of emotions: fear, anger, and joy. Her character’s balance between understanding and confusion is perfectly portrayed. The characters are so believable that the audience feels a strong connection to their journey, making their story all the more engaging.
Ba is a little eerie and very dramatic, making it an excellent film for those who want to be creeped out, but only a little bit. The central relationship between Daniel and Collette is emotionally engaging, and their love pulls all who watch through to the end. Kao and Cech are excellent as the father-daughter duo, while the strong lighting creates the spooky atmosphere.
For more information about Ba, visit Benjamin Wong’s site.