Stuntman ★★★★

Released: 11 October 2024

Director: Albert + Herbert Leung

Starring: Terrance Lau, Philip Ng

In cinema, high-octane stunts are a sure-fire way to guarantee blockbuster success and box office revenue. From explosions to car chases, Western cinema has it covered – and with stunt people-turned-filmmakers such as David Leitch (The Fall Guy) and Chad Stahelski (John Wick) incorporating their knowledge to push the boundaries of what can be done in front of the camera, anything is physically possible.

However, the stunts seen in Hollywood now are nothing compared to 1980s Hong Kong cinema, where filmmakers such as Sammo Hung, Jackie Chan and John Woo defined a modern cinematic era through no-holds-barred stunts. This era created some of the most memorable action films in modern history such as Twinkle Twinkle Lucky Stars, Project A and Hard Boiled – and it is an art to which Chinese drama Stuntman pays homage.

The directorial debut of stuntmen-turned-filmmakers Albert and Herbert Leung that stars Terrance Lau, Stephen Tung Wai and Philip Ng, the film follows renowned action choreographer Sam (Tung Wai), who had a reputation for being demanding and relentless in the 1980s, earning him the nickname ‘Heartless Sam’. After a stunt scene goes wrong, he swiftly retires from the film industry. Several decades later, Sam is asked to choreograph an action film but his old-school experience is tested against the modern backdrop of Hong Kong cinema.

Stuntman establishes its stance on stunts immediately with a Police Story-inspired intro where a fight in a shopping centre delivers a taster of the film’s dizzying action, only to abruptly end in a jump that might induce wincing among audiences but is a very real outcome for Hong Kong stuntmen.

Action director To-Hoi Kong and stunt coordinator Pok Yan Leung ensure the film’s intricate action – whether it is fight scenes, street chases or the odd jump off a roof – delivers constant thrills and excitement. But Stuntman isn’t afraid to show the dangers and unpredictability of stunts, especially when circumstances can change in a flash – the Leung brothers showcase this in a practically improvised robbery and street chase scene that ends in a public disaster and several serious injuries, all for the sake of a perfect shot.

But within the chaos, falls and injuries is a sense of drama that comes from generational clashes among the characters. On one side, we have Sam, a veteran action choreographer seeking the perfect shot by any means necessary. On the other side, there is Wai (Ng), a former stuntman under Sam’s guidance, now an action superstar and a leader of his own team prioritising safety over authenticity. The Leung brothers brew the film’s quiet friction stemming between the characters’ opinions on modern and traditional stunt work through one-to-one conversations and intimate camerawork that builds a reluctant camaraderie between the diversely aged cast. This leads to some sporadic yet emotionally charged scenes, but nonetheless, it emphasises the evolving working practices in Hong Kong cinema, not to mention how the action genre has changed in the last 40 years.

While the generational differences cause tension, the dynamic between Sam and Lung (Terrance Lau) brings a tenderness in the narrative, hinting at the openness and willingness to adapt to new scenarios. Sam wishes to relive his glory days while Lung, an avid fan of 1980s Hong Kong action cinema, is eager to learn from Sam’s experience but ultimately brings a younger perspective to stunt work. Their chemistry evolves from mentor-mentee to peers and teammates yet their difference in priorities, whether it is family or work, do not have the chance to resonate deeper on a personal level, resulting in conflicts being pushed aside to keep the narrative going.

Anastasia Tsang and Oliver Yip’s screenplay conveys the turmoil of Sam’s dedication amid some cliché character developments that involve embittered relationships and broken friendships. Nonetheless, the film reiterates that it is about the life of a stuntman – and more specifically, a Hong Kong stuntman, whose life is on the line every time the director yells ‘Action!’. The screenplay ensures the mental and physical toll of stunt work touches base with audiences, showing the emotional impact of life-long injuries, resentment of loved ones, and a lack of trust among characters. It feels like a lot of ground to cover but these elements collectively highlight the brotherhood among stunt teams – explaining Sam’s unspoken duty to his stuntmen at the cost of his own family.

A renowned stuntman whose career dates back to an uncredited role in legendary martial arts film Enter the Dragon (as Bruce Lee’s young student), Tung Wai naturally embodies the perfectionist nature of an action director who is stuck in the past. Sam’s passion is evident and his willingness to repeat takes is reminiscent of Jackie Chan’s reported 2,900 takes on his 1982 film Dragon Lord. But as Sam’s work reignites his passion for action choreography, Tung Wai also delivers a wistfulness that contemplates on the life he lost. This melancholia emanates from the strained relationship with his estranged daughter Cherry (Cecilia Choi), as his ever-changing priorities to his team over his family represent the life he had but ultimately sacrificed.

Previously starring in Twilight of the Warriors: Walled In, both Lau and Ng exude a youthful energy in their respective performances as Lung and Wai, delivering the same thrills of 1980s Hong Kong cinema. They both bring the same level of enthusiasm to stunt work as Tung Wai but their on-screen characters provide a little more consideration for personal safety to incorporate a modern perspective to action cinema. Meanwhile, Choi offers a subtle performance as Cherry, who is reluctant to be a part of her life as she understands the depth of the dedication to his work.

A heartfelt conversation between Lung and Sam sees the former comment: “In another 5-10 years, no-one will remember what Hong Kong cinema was like”. But with this release, 2024 looks like it is becoming a comeback year for the genre amid a celebration of stuntmen in the film industry. The Leung brothers’ Stuntman brings a poignant realism to the dangers stunt performers face on each production while delivering dazzling stunt work that can only be seen in Hong Kong cinema.