Duyên Ma - My Boyfriend Is A Ghost (2022)

My Boyfriend Is A Ghost (Duyên Ma), helmed by Vũ Ngọc Đãng, unfortunately exemplifies a peculiar genre hybridity within Vietnamese cinema, struggling to coalesce its disparate elements. Technically, the film meanders awkwardly between cultivating a supernatural horror ambiance and sustaining comedic timing, resulting in a significantly inconsistent tonal palette. While certain sequences demonstrate an earnest attempt at evocative cinematography and production design, they ultimately fail to construct a cohesive world-building foundation for its narrative. Kiều Minh Tuấn, as the male lead, delivers moments of inherent charm, yet his performance is frequently undermined by a convoluted script and illogical plot contrivances. Supporting cast members, notably Mạc Văn Khoa, strive to inject vitality through familiar comedic beats but cannot salvage the overall disjointed experience. The purported themes of love transcending mortality or the acceptance of otherness are explored superficially, lacking profound emotional resonance. My Boyfriend Is A Ghost aspires to tap into the genre's potential but becomes ensnared in its inability to seamlessly integrate horror, romance, and comedy, marking it as a forgettable entry in Vietnam's supernatural romantic comedy landscape, failing to establish a lasting impact or trendsetting influence. Its narrative execution reveals a distinct lack of confidence.