RATING: A

Essential Film Group presents a Screen Ireland production in association with Spellmaker Productions, Project Arc Films, and Chop Shop Post. Directed by Fergal Costello. Produced by Nicholas Cooper and Paddy McDonald. Written by Paddy McDonald; story by Paul Markey. Cinematography by Cheung Shing-Fung. Edited by Ahmad Halimi.

Stars Steven He O’Byrne, Michael Tient, Gemma Chua-Tran, Max Huang, Steve Wall, and Jason Tobin. 

YouTuber Steven He stars in this kung fu horror-comedy that pays homage to the likes of Mr. Vampire and brings a fun ride for all!

Danny Yang is a local exterminator in Dublin who has taken over his father’s business since his father’s passing. He and his childhood best friend Frank are sometimes successful, but other times not so much. When Danny is given an offer to sell the business, he seriously contemplates doing so. However, when his father’s friend Ronnie gives the duo a major job involving an infestation at a local church, things are about to go completely awry and get bonkers. 

Marrs, a local crime boss, has stolen and transported a mysterious coffin to the church. Lying in the coffin is T’ang, a Chinese jianshi, or vampire. When T’ang is released from the coffin, it wreaks a little havoc. When Danny and Frank discover T’ang, they encounter Lian, a mysterious woman from China who informs Danny that he is the son of the guardian of the holding cell of T’ang. With a great evil descending, Danny must learn kung fu and use his expertise to stop the jiangshi before Hell is unleashed like no other. 

Steven He is the YouTuber who will be known for his famous meme “emotional damage” and his hilarious off-brand humor videos. While He was seen in a supporting role in the drama Magnetosphere, he takes center stage here in a role that brings out why he could be this generation’s Stephen Chow for the Asian-American crowd with his brand of humor meshed with some martial arts training. 

He is funny as Danny, showcasing the natural talent he brings to the role with newcomer Michael Tient as his childhood bestie and sidekick Frank. The two play each other off pretty well thanks to Paddy McDonald’s witty dialogue. He knew the assignment and makes He and Tient look good without having to be a stereotype in the vein of Lethal Weapon or a Rush Hour. Gemma Chua-Tran brings some importance to the role of Lian, a fellow guardian who is in charge of protecting another coffin as the jiangshi T’ang has a female counterpart while Danny’s family was in charge of protecting T’ang until his father’s death causes Marrs to steal and unleash the monster.

Marrs is played by a bit of comic relief and amazing skills from the one and only Max Huang, who is known for his stint on the Jackie Chan Stunt Team and his role of Kung Lao in the two recent Mortal Kombat films. We see Marrs’ goons getting killed off by T’ang while he sits there enjoying the view and vaping. However, it’s nothing compared to T’ang not only trying to make a promise to Marrs, but have some fun in the midst. As played by Warrior’s Jason Tobin, T’ang is one of the funniest jiangshi as he is seen in both the film and a mid-credit scene doing karaoke?!

As with the film having kung fu fights, there is plenty of action to complement the comedy. Lee Huang, a member of the Jackie Chan Stunt Team, who is also the brother of co-star Max Huang, choreographed the action. A nice fight involves Lian taking on a band of thugs while listening to her music via her headphones. As for He, he looks pretty good here, using a bo staff with enchanted powers, with the film’s third act doing something unexpected but in a good way.

Kung Fu Deadly is fun, action-packed, and comical with Steven He in a great lead role. If he continues training in martial arts, with his brand of comedy, he could definitely be the next “Stephen Chow”! 

The film debuts at Fantastic Fest on September 18.