ABOUT THE AUTHOR: Jennifer Upton is an American (non-werewolf) writer/editor in London. She currently works as a freelance ghostwriter of personal memoirs and writes for several blogs on topics as diverse as film history, punk rock, women’s issues, and international politics. For links to her work, please visit https://www.jennuptonwriter.com or send her a Tweet @Jennxldn

1990 saw the release of the Category III hit Erotic Ghost Story. Directed by Lam Ngai Kai, the softcore art film boasted an engaging story, beautiful sets, costumes, and cinematography. Not to mention good acting by attractive people. Inspired by The Witches of Eastwick and Pu Songling’s Strange Tales, a scholar seduces three fox spirits who, having attained human form, learn later, that he is a demon. The supernatural conclusion where the three band together to fight said demon before they lose their human privileges was well-executed and scary. It’s one of the rare films of its type to be considered a classic to this day.  

Erotic Ghost Story 2 not only dishonors its memory, but actually serves as a perfect example of the stereotype that all Category III films are, in fact, throwaway sex films. This movie was absolutely pointless and horrible. The story was non-existent; the acting was atrocious and the sex scenes had the air of late night made for cable movie with the entire production looking as if it had a fraction of the budget of the original. Even the accomplished Anthony Wong taking over in the role of the demon Chiu-Sheng a.k.a Wutung couldn’t save this mess as he does little more than parade around with a white lion’s mane on his head in kabuki make-up making scary faces. Overall, the film was just boring save for the threesome scene with having sex on a swing. Even then, it’s only interesting because of the sexual positions on display. 

There’s also an underwater scene that woke me from my stupor because it made me wonder how long the actors had to hold their breath. My best guess is that they finished that day’s shoot with a sigh of relief much the same as I felt when the credits finally rolled on this piece of crap.

You can watch the trailer on YouTube.