You are here:

The House That Never Dies

Name: The House That Never Dies
Director: Raymond Yip Wai-Man
Released: 2014
Duration: 90 min

Representation Score

3.3/10

Limited

2014

Director

Raymond Yip Wai-Man

Runtime

90 minutes

Average Rating

No ratings yet

New Showbiz Analysis

The film excels in ethnic authenticity and cultural specificity, grounding its horror and romance in a deeply Chinese historical context. By centering the resistance against imperial forces, it provides a strong sense of ethnic ability to act and avoids Western-centric historical clichés. However, the film adheres to traditional social structures. While women hold central roles, their arcs do not actively seek to challenge established gender hierarchies or social norms. Ultimately, the work focuses on regional historical trauma and classical melodrama rather than addressing underrepresented identities.

Watch this, not that →

Category Breakdown

Does The House That Never Dies have LGBTQ+ representation?

Minimal

The film follows a traditional romantic mystery framework without depicting any non-binary gender identities or same-sex relationships, adhering to conventional expectations.

How does The House That Never Dies portray gender?

Fair

Female protagonists like Xu Ruoqing play significant roles in navigating high-stakes supernatural environments. However, their influence operates within the constraints of wartime heroism and romantic melodrama.

How racially and ethnically diverse is The House That Never Dies?

Excellent

The production showcases high cultural authenticity with a predominantly Chinese cast. The setting avoids whitewashing by centering local folklore and national struggle.

How does The House That Never Dies represent religion and culture?

Good

The narrative prioritizes the Chinese experience by framing the struggle against Japanese occupation as a central moral pillar. It explores historical trauma and patriotism through a haunted setting.

Does The House That Never Dies include disability representation?

Minimal

There is no significant evidence regarding the portrayal of visible or invisible disabilities. The narrative focus remains on the supernatural and the historical political landscape.

Present on Screen

High degree of cultural authenticity through a predominantly Chinese cast.
Strong ethnic ability to act by centering a non-Western perspective and local folklore.
Effective use of historical context to explore national struggle and trauma.

Limited or Absent

Lack of representation for LGBTQ+ identities or non-binary characters.
Gender dynamics remain within the constraints of traditional romantic melodrama.
No visible or invisible disability representation within the narrative.

Official Synopsis

Story based on the legendary mansion at No. 81 on Chaoyangmennei Street in Beijing, which local legend says is haunted by the ghost of a Kuomintang official's wife, who committed suicide in the home around the time of the Cultural Revolution. The film follows Xu Ruoqing a woman whose presence in the notorious mansion draws up the spirits that have taken residence there.

How are these scores produced? →