User Reviews

An extreme, intense psycho splatter rape horror from hong Kong. the story is about Ming-Ming, a girl with severe learning difficulties, who is spending her days in a home where one of the doctors is a lunatic psycho necro rapist, who goes completely insane every time he sees the color red. All this because he had some traumatic experience in his childhood. Then at some point Ming-Ming is performing a dance number with red panties, and things really start to go wrong.

The film is excellent made. The colors are spectacular and the cinematography is superb. Ben Ng is probably one of the most intense screen villains ever, and the violence is brain numbingly nasty. Politically correctness is non existent however, and one thing for sure, this movie would never ever have been made in a western country. right up there with Dr. Lamb, Bunman, and the whole lot.

Be prepared, this one could send you into therapy if your not prepared, and you probably feel like taking a shower when your through watching this demented little gem.

"Red To Kill" is a controversial Cat III film from Hong Kong's "Billy" Tang ("Run and Kill", "Dr. Lamb"). It's uncompromising stuff - the treatment of its subject matter is bordering on being extremely tasteless but I found the director managed to keep the film on the right tracks thanks to moving and realistic performances by the main actors.

Briefly, the movie tells the tale of a psychopathic rapist who just happens to be a doctor in a home for people with learning difficulties, and a girl, Ming-Ming, who is living in the home. The sight of the colour red sends the mad doc' into a murderous, sex-crazed rampage and the results are pretty strong and not for those of a nervous disposition.

"Red To Kill" isn't a "feel good" movie and you may indeed feel like a hot shower after viewing it. I felt more than a little dirty that I had enjoyed the film...be warned - it doesn't pull its punches....

Worth checking out if you're a fan of the harder-edged HK productions.

RED TO KILL: Wow! Again, I ask myself why the hell I watch this stuff?! I mean, from my experiences so far, I should know better but damn it, it always seems to start the same way. I get alittle nervous at the beginning. It's that uneasy, quizzy sensation that creeps up from your bowels when the movie first starts. Because no matter how well you think you've prepared yourself, you NEVER really know for sure what to expect, or whether or not you're going to see something that you shouldn't when it comes to these vile Chinese Category 3 chunkblowing displays of moral debasement. And this movie is certainly one of those unredeemable, wretched messes that no one should like to watch, or lord forbid, find enjoyable. Oh, but that's exactly why we LOVE them so much in the first place! But this one wasn't so much shocking to me as it was just plain sleazy. It's the corruption and perversion of innocence in this flick that causes that awful scratching at your principles of what's right and wrong, or at least, it should. Why, you ask? Well, most of the movie takes place in a shelter for mentally retarded young people so the subject matter alone could easily get completely out of control very quickly if you think about all the wonderful possibilities that a creative sicko-twisted mind could come up with. It also stars LILY CHUNG as Ming Ming, yup, you know her all too well. She's the same poor girl who was tormented and repeatedly raped by her father in another supra-sleazy Chinese C3 taboo-trasher entitled DAUGHTER OF DARKNESS. I will give her credit though, she's NOT afraid to snatch her clothes off and perform a mock rape scene in a very visually disturbing, almost pornographic way. So with depraved s**t like that going for it, what's the movie about you're wondering... it tells the story of an insane mental shelter super-intendent who, whenever he sees the color red on clothes (especially girl's panties), he goes totally bonkers and KILLS and RAPES (usually in THAT order too) the woman or young girl wearing it. Yes, I know what you're thinking, I thought the same thing, this is NOT a nice movie and why am I watching it?! But alas, it's not really his fault (or so society would tell us). When he was young, he and his brother witnessed their mother having sex with a strange man and when their father caught her in the act, she killed him with a meat clever. Enraged, she went on to chop up his little brother and ends up killing herself as well, splashing WHAT all over the place? That red, red blood, of course. Hence the name of the movie and why he goes stupid kill-crazy when he sees it. And in the end, it all gets surprisingly real damn moist and just about everyone gets f***ed up some kinda bad. So, all in all, a repulsive idea for a film that shouldn't have ever been made with scenes of detailed filth for which there is no remorse or forgiveness for. The shower scene after retarded Ming Ming's first rape where she tries to "clean" her "dirtied" sexual body parts with a razor knife comes to mind first. Simply nauseating, sickeningly foul, morally-offensive stuff indeed. But ya know, if you really think about it, the whole exploitive nature of the Asian Horror-Shock Cinema just wouldn't be the same without these rare, uncompromising gems of celluloid obscenities.

This one is a little better than the average rape-movie from Hong Kong. The atmosphere in the movie is breathtaking, thanks to Ng, who delivers one of the best and most intense portrays of a sick rapist i have ever seen!!! The atmosphere makes this movie, so the occasional gore seem pointless. There is a lot of bad acting though...

RED TO KILL is tied for #1 (with THE UNTOLD STORY...) as my favorite Cat III HK shocker that I've seen so far. Though extremely violent by nature of the films brutal subject matter, RED TO KILL still beautifully, thoughtfully, and compassionately relates the child-like innocence and loyalty of the mentally handicapped. RED TO KILL is the story of Ming-Ming, a mentally retarded girl whose father is killed in a car accident. Ming-Ming is then taken to a home for mentally handicapped kids by Ms. Lok, a compassionate and kind-hearted social worker. Ming-Ming is also greeted by Mr. Chan, a seemingly benevolent and considerate caretaker at the home. Soon Ming-Ming begins to make friends and falls into the daily life at the home, and all seems well, until... And this is where RED TO KILL really takes off. Mr. Chan turns out to be a psychopathic rapist who goes completely out of whack at the sight of any woman wearing any red clothing. After seeing Ming-Ming perform a very innocent dance routine adorned in a red dress, Chan flips the f**k out, and brutally rapes Ming-Ming. Chan is hauled into court but let off due to a technicality. Ms. Lok, who by this point has grown very fond and protective of Ming-Ming, decides to take matters into her own hands and bait Chan into coming after her, in hopes of seeking revenge for the rape of Ming-Ming. Unfortunately, this scheme sorta backfires, leading up to one of the most incredible climaxes in film history. Anyone judging this film solely on the violent nature of RED TO KILL is missing the point entirely. Of course, due to the graphic portrayal of rape and violence, this film is not for all tastes, by any means. But unlike other reviewers who insist on classifying this as violent, gory, exploitation cinema - I feel that in many ways this is a beautiful film that works on many levels. All of the actors are dead-on, whether it be Lily Chung as the lovable, innocent, victimized Ming-Ming, or Money Lo as the compassionate and fiercely loyal Ms. Lok, or especially Ben Ng as Chan, the friendly-care-taker-by-day and psychotic-rapist-murderer-freak by night (whose performance is one of the best that I've ever seen on film, period). The film never tries to portray the mentally handicapped as weak or inferior and really goes out of it's way to shed a pleasant light on those individuals that have mental disabilities. One scene in particular has Ming-Ming sitting in a corner after the trial of Mr. Chan; she is shocked and catatonic due to the nature of the preceding incidents that she obviously can't truly fathom. The other handicapped children are offering her gifts and support to help bring her around, but to no avail. All this while Ms. Lok looks on helplessly with tears in her eyes. The compassion shown in that one scene alone was more touching than pretty much any Hollywood drama bulls**t that I've ever seen. This could have been a truly exploitative film, but I feel the director handled all of the situations with care and compassion, to faithfully tell a story of lost innocence. Now that I've raved about RED TO KILL for so long-I do have one gripe...My copy comes from a company called Universe who did THE WORST SUBTITLING JOB, EVER!!! I see another reviewer quoted the "Crash your Penis" line, so I guess he got the same copy I did. The subtitling is so disjointed in parts (if you speak English, that is...) that a few scenes are almost unintelligible, or unintentionally funny. It doesn't really impact the overall impression of the film, but it can be confusing at times. Overall, I love this movie. There are definitely some intense and graphic scenes of rape and violence that casual film-goers would probably be repulsed by. This film is in my opinion not as gory as THE UNTOLD STORY, THE GUINEA PIG films,etc... but still only recommended for those who enjoy "extreme" cinema. A beautiful, compassionate, horrifying, disturbing film. Highly recommended 9/10

RED TO KILL (Ruo Sha)

Aspect ratio: 1.85:1

Sound format: Mono

Though Chinese filmmakers have long been fascinated with images of violence and bloodshed - from the vintage horror films of Ma-xu Weibang through to Chang Cheh's splattery kung fu pictures of the 1970's - it wasn't until the early 1990's that Hong Kong horror movies found a new and unexpected foothold within the cultural mainstream, due to a wave of 'true crime' dramas spearheaded by DR. LAMB (1992) and THE UNTOLD STORY (1993), both helmed by Danny Lee (Chow Yun-fat's cop nemesis in John Woo's THE KILLER). For a brief period, the former colony played host to a wave of confrontational 'Category III' (Adults Only) movies, dominated by the work of controversial director Billy Tang. Already notorious for a scene in RUN AND KILL (1993) in which a little boy is burned alive in merciless detail, Tang proceeded to scale the heights of calculated outrage with RED TO KILL, arguably one of the most harrowing films ever made.

Orphaned by the death of her parents, a mentally handicapped young woman (Lily Chung) is remanded to the care of a hostel for the disabled, where she falls prey to 'benevolent' caretaker Ben Ng, a musclebound hulk whose charming demeanour belies his true nature: Traumatized by a childhood incident in which his mother slaughtered his father and brother with a meat cleaver, drenching him in blood, Ng is prompted to murderous psychosis whenever he sees the colour red, resulting in horrific explosions of rape and murder. Unable to control himself when confronted by Chung wearing a long scarlet dress, Ng assaults her and is promptly arrested, but his indictment is later dismissed on a technicality, and the three main characters (including Money Lo as a sympathetic social worker) converge on the workshop beneath the hostel for a climactic showdown which closes proceedings on a note of ABSOLUTE SCREAMING HYSTERIA!!

Judged alongside similar Asian atrocities, such as MEN BEHIND THE SUN (1987) or the infamous "Guinea Pig" series from Japan, RED TO KILL is either a fearless challenge to established cinematic limits or a reckless descent into the abyss, depending on your point of view. Photographed with stunning visual flair by Tony Mau and expertly edited by Choi Hung, the movie alternates scenes of naive sentimentality with eruptions of graphic horror, taking time to establish Chung's beauty and innocence before unleashing the forces of hell against her. But while Chung and Lo are dignified in adversity, Ng plays the villain as an unstoppable force of nature, literally throbbing with uncontrollable rage; his descent into complete psychosis during the hair-raising finale provokes a devastating rampage which is truly frightening to behold. Unsurprisingly, Ng has been typecast in villainous roles ever since.

But the filmmakers' bravura technique, coupled with an obstinate lack of moral restraint, makes it difficult to defend the film's worst excesses. The protracted rape scenes are designed as a visual spectacle, showcasing the humiliation of vulnerable female characters. Worse still, following the sexual assault on Chung (the movie's pivotal set-piece), the actress is involved in a shocking episode of self-mutilation which not only degrades the entire production, but seems deliberately contrived to test viewers' patience to breaking point. However, despite its questionable motives, the film is executed with such breathtaking cinematic gusto, it compels attention in a way that few other horror movies have managed before or since.

Director Tang continued his one-man assault on the boundaries of taste and decency with such inferior offerings as BROTHER OF DARKNESS (1994) and SEXY AND DANGEROUS (1996) before going 'legit' with a number of socially conscious dramas, beginning with Chinese MIDNIGHT EXPRESS (1997), featuring Ben Ng and HARD-BOILED's Tony Leung Chiu-wai.

(Cantonese dialogue)

A lurid and sleazy piece of gratuitously violent exploitation, Red To Kill will either have you switching off in disgust or glued to the screen in complete awe, such are the levels of excess committed to celluloid in this notorious Hong Kong shocker. Personally, I loved it, but then I've always had rather 'dubious' taste in films.

Ben Ng plays Chi Wai Chan, a seemingly mild-mannered care-worker at a home for the retarded; however, it transpires that, as a child, he was badly traumatised by a violent family incident and as a result, he isn't quite right in the head. Now, when Chi sees the colour red, he becomes a sweaty, sex-crazed, spittle-flecked maniac who rapes and kills with sadistic glee.

When Ming Ming (Lily Chung), an orphaned retarded girl with a love of dance, accidentally flashes the gusset of her red knickers to Chi, and later wears a red dress for a dance performance, she becomes the latest victim of the twisted lunatic, suffering a brutal sex attack.

Chi is arrested, but is later freed on a technicality. Ming Ming's social worker and close friend Ka Lok Cheung (Money Lo) vows revenge. She follows Chi to a bar, dressed in a sexy red outfit, and teases him enough to cause him to wig out and go postal in a finale which has to be seen to be believed.

Director Billy Tang, who gave us the stylishly sick Dr. Lamb, goes all out to offend the sensibilities with what may be the most repulsive, yet compelling movie to ever be awarded the Category III rating. Just setting a rape/revenge movie in a home for the mentally handicapped might be considered reason enough for most to avoid this film, but fans of extreme cinema will be delighted. If you are able to look beyond the questionable subject matter, it is not hard to admire Tang's audacity as he enthusiastically ladles on the excess.

Lily Chung and Money Lo both give excellent assured performances, but it is Ben Ng as the crazed sex-fiend Chi, who steals the show. His transformation from gentle care-worker to deranged muscle-bound, sledgehammer-wielding rapist is a joy to behold and goes to the top of my list of all-time favourite cinematic psychos (sneaking just ahead of Anthony Wong as Bunman).

Given the extreme nature of Red To Kill, one should think carefully before viewing. Even if you are an experienced Cat III junkie, be prepared to have your jaw hit the floor at least once or twice during this relentlessly harrowing and sleazy tale.

"Red to Kill" is one of the classic Category III psycho-sicko flicks.It is about the teacher of retarded children who goes completely crazy in front of color red because of one trauma.He falls in love with one of his students,a childlike teenage girl but soon discovers her red underwear.What follows is an unspeakable acts of terror,rape,self mutilation and very disturbing violence."Red to Kill" is extremely strong and disturbing piece of horror.This is the kind of film even 'jaded' HK cinema fans seem to dislike and judge as sick and repellent.Of course it's gratuitous but has also some interesting points and thoughts about society's care for retarded people who can,and sometimes are much more 'human' and kind than the normal ones.The scene after he brutally raped one of the retarded girls where she is standing alone in the shower traumatised and hacking away at her pubic hair with a razor blade whilst murmuring "dirty...dirty...dirty!" is a jaw dropper.So if you're a fan of extreme cinema give this little gem a look.9 out of 10.

I've seen quite a few of Billy Tang's films, and I must say this is the best. The direction is great, Tang's penchant for blue lighting works perfectly with the material. Lily Chung plays a retarded girl who is sent to a home after the death of her father. Ben Ng plays the mild mannered director, who happens to be a psychotic killer and rapist, his violent impulses triggered by the color red. This is an awesome performance, ranking as one of the most entertaining film loony's I've ever seen (and that's no small number). While bleak, there is also plenty of humor, some unintentional, due to the poorly translated subtitles ("Crash your penis, cut it to make soup!"). Fans of HK horror will love this.

First of all, let me tell you, this is NOT a date movie. This is the most brutal graphic rape movie I have ever seen, and also one that lingers in your mind long after it is over. For me, that's exactly what I want when I see a movie, one that leaves a lasting impression no matter how difficult the impression might be. I loved this movie, because it is very very well made, and the acting performances are incredible. Yes, the rapes are unforgiving in every respect, and the misery throughout the film is almost difficult to watch at times. This is not a gory movie, except for the last ten minutes, it is a very disturbing movie and it does have a fair amount of nudity, however it really needs to. "The Untold Story" and "Ebola Syndrome" offset much of the carnage with humor, but "Red to Kill" has absolutely NOTHING to smile about. It is totally and brutally serious from the first frame to the extremely nasty ending. The story is pretty simple, a psycho-rapist is on the loose and he's going after a mentally retarded young dancer. In the second graphic rape of the movie he does the deed to the young lady. Enter a female social worker who tries to help the victim, and dreams up a plan to get even with the rapist after he gets off in court because of a stupid technicality. Her plan succeeds to a certain extent, but not like she planned it, and the rapist comes after her full force. The actor who plays the rapist is absolutely sensational, and I might add, the musical score is perfect. The music adds so much to the all ready existing tension from all the horrific acts. The actress who plays the retarded girl is also amazing, one of the best performances on film you will ever see. To end this, this is a must-see movie for fans of this genre, and I'm just getting started myself. Not the gore associated with the two previous Cat III movies I watched, but something even more terrible and unrelenting, and an uneasy feeling that will not leave you anytime soon after you see it. "Red to Kill" is flat out a good movie, even considering the subject matter. I highly recommend it.

Red to Kill is about a mentally retarded girl who is brought into a home for the handicapped after her father dies in a car crash. She's welcomed with open arms by all the residents and staff. Well, to add some spice to the story one of the staff is a psycho killer who goes absolutely nuts when he sees the color red....or whenever he takes off his glasses. Will the mentally challenged girl wear the color red? Find out in Red to Kill.

Now I've seen four Cat 3 flicks, Ricky O, Untold Story, Ebola Syndrome and now this, and each one doesn't disappoint. The dude who plays the maniac does an awesome job. I'm not sure if I've seen a crazier portrayal of a psychopath ever before....he was definitely the best part of the film. If you're looking for a unique, crazy flick, Red to Kill definitely fits the bill. 8.5 outta 10

Ben Ng plays the overseer of a home for the mentally disabled in this outrageous shocker. He also plays the monster rapist stalking every woman in sight.

It's RED TO KILL because the color "red" sets the rapist off.

We get a whole new brand of lurid here. And director Tang is no shrinking violet in his depictions of the numerous sexual assaults. A sequence in which a victim saws off her public hair with a blunt razer blade is a real showstopper.

The actors playing the mentally retarded really look it. One, in particular, looks like he was recruited straight off the Ugly Tree.

A deep thread of sex and voyeurism snakes its way through the narrative. Panty-watchers are well served, too, by a voyeuristic sequence in which an intended rape victim dances for the camera and gives us a bird's eye view of what's under her skirt.

As one expects from Tang, his climactic battle between heroine and victim is over-the-top and not one bit interested in reality. It's Human versus Monster as the rapist meets his match.

Exploitation of the highest order.

Billy Tang's 'Yeuk Saat' ('Red To Kill') is a wicked little gem. This film occupies a very disturbing, but thoroughly entertaining realm. I went into this film with high expectations. Needless to say, I was not let down in the least. They just don't make films like this in North America or Europe. 'Red To Kill' pushes the limits of acceptability brilliantly, and will no doubt leave even jaded viewers surprised and entertained...

Ben Ng's portrayal of a psychopathic rapist who falls in love with a retarded girl whom he had raped is amazing. There is just something about the main antagonist is these Cat III films (I am thinking of Mr. Ng & Anthony Wong) that borders on frightening. The level of mania, and the exuberance which with these fine actors execute scene after scene with obvious psychotic glee is spellbinding. Me and my girlfriend were blown away by how unbelievably psychotic and deranged Ben Ng was in this gem. He easily rivals Anthony Wong (from 'The Untold Story' and 'Ebola Syndrome') for cinema's most wicked and insane psychopath...

If you are familiar with Cat III films, you know what to expect- over-the-top violence and wicked rape scenes unflinchingly caught by the lens. I have witnessed many of these films in the past 6 months, and this is one of the better ones...

Some may take issue with the fact that the majority of this film takes place in a home for the retarded. To me, that made the film all the more entertaining. Perhaps if I believed in hell, I would go there; but damn, I sure got some cheap laughs out of this film. The retarded actors and actresses were highly amusing. Me and my girlfriend couldn't help from laughing out loud at numerous scenes...

At the same time, there were some very touching elements to this film. The scene after Ming-Ming (Lily Chung) got raped, when her fellow institution mates were crying and giving her gifts nearly brought a tear to my eye- it was incredibly touching (for real, I am not being facetious)...

I realize I haven't covered too many plot details in this little review/comment. You will have to watch this amazing and unforgettable film yourself if you want to know what happens. If you are a fan of extreme cinema (specifically Cat III films), you will very likely love this movie. From a cinema-obsessive who seeks out edgy entertainment, 'Red To Kill' comes highly recommended...

This movie represent one of my favorite movie. I enjoy the movie from the beginning and get tense to the end, I also laugh many times looking some idiots (mentally-retarded) face and action. The story is well plotted with a linear-increasing intensity of horror and gore.

What I like most of this movie is all of the main actors (the protagonist and antagonist) are really good at acting. Ming-ming, the-mentally-retarded girl, really did her job as she should be. I watched with detail every action she did, and she really has the talent and look. Two thumbs up! She is also pretty and her smile also resemble the idiot smile which is rare to find such. Perfect role!

Mr Cheng and Big Sister also do his action very well in the movie especially in the last intense and gory part of the movie.

I also consider this movie different than usual movie I saw. Why? Because I saw the bad side (antagonist) is not easy to beat down. The fighting choreography is good, and almost realistic. There are no such thing as superhero, the hero (protagonist) here are just mere human that are both weak and easy to be wounded as in reality. See the end of the story and you will know why I does not say this is an ordinary fairy-tale movie with happy ending.

This movie is worthy to be watched for you who like gory, realistic movies with funny, rape and nude scenes. Those who want a real-lifelike movie may enjoy this movie.

Red to Kill (1994) was one of the many Hong Kong films that were produced during the mid nineties to fall under the Category III rating. 1997 was fast approaching and many film makers knew that the heavy hand of censorship from the Chinese government would make these films null and void in the future. Many film makers were making these cheap and exploitive films so they could not only make a few bucks but take advantage of the lack film censorship board. Category III films become a genre all in it's own. Originally it was for films that were to intense for Category IIB. But as these movies got popular, the films began to form a sub genre all there own. When one watches a Category III film they expect two things (strong sex and bloody violence). This film delivers on all accounts and they're for viewers 18 and older!

Red to Kill is about a mentally retarded woman (Lily Cheung)who is sent to live in a mental institution when her care taking mother passes away. Her social worker (Money Lo) sends her to a place where she'll learn to work with others. A worker at the home (Ben Ng) has a strong affection for her, but he has a dark side (and a dark one indeed). IL' Ben has a thing for red and it makes in go bonkers. One day poor simple Lily wears red around Ben. Will he be able to contain himself or will he fall to his urges?

You'll never see a twisted and disturbing movie like this. It was films like this that defined the Category three genre. Billy Tang has one depraved mind (that's good for film making). This movie pulls no punches in showing the mind of a psycho. Too bad they'll never make movies like these ever again. If you like twisted and gory films look no further because Red To Kill has everything you expect from a movie like this.

Hard Core!!!

Highly recommended.