The 2025 Lunar New Year film season seemed to have concluded with two breakout box office hits: The Four Thieves starring Trấn Thành and The Billion Dollar Kiss starring Thu Trang. However, the emergence of a new player has changed the game for these seasoned veterans. That player is Ghost Lantern, directed by Hoàng Nam.
With no big-name stars, renowned directors, or box-office-guaranteed actors, this debut film from the 41-year-old director not only surpassed the screenings of Trấn Thành’s film but also closely followed the revenue of Thu Trang’s movie.
The Box Office Twist
Ghost Lantern draws its plot from the tale The Tale of Nam Xương in Truyen Ky Man Luc by Nguyễn Dữ. Hoàng Nam’s film explores this famous folk story and sets it in a mysterious spiritual realm.
The protagonist, Thương (played by Diễm Trang), is a young woman whose husband is away at war. She keeps her son company at night by projecting shadows on the wall, pretending they are his father. However, this is no ordinary lantern—when lit, it inadvertently becomes a conduit for spirits and malevolent entities from the afterlife to return to the living world and cause havoc. When the medium Liễu (played by Hoàng Kim Ngọc) intervenes, the true nature and motives of these spirits gradually come to light.
Compared to its competitors, Ghost Lantern lacks the star power of Trấn Thành and Thu Trang, as well as the standout performances of actresses like Kaity Nguyễn or popular beauty queens like Tiểu Vy, Kỳ Duyên, and Thiên Ân.
In contrast, the film features relatively unknown faces making their debut in cinema: Diễm Trang, a tourism and culture student, Hoàng Kim Ngọc, a content creator on Facebook, and Tuấn “Mõ,” who is making his first appearance in a feature film.
The cast of “Ghost Lantern” (Photo: Facebook)
But why has this film managed to create such unexpected twists at the box office?
According to Box Office Vietnam data, by 11 AM on February 11, the film had grossed nearly 60 billion VND, surpassing The Billion Dollar Kiss by Thu Trang (another notable underdog) and The Four Thieves by Trấn Thành to take the top spot for daily box office earnings.
Even though Ghost Lantern had fewer screenings compared to its heavyweights by more than half, it still managed to rake in 10 billion VND on its second day, marking a series of sold-out shows at many cinemas.
“The fact that Ghost Lantern has drawn audiences without any star power is truly surprising,” said Director and Artist of Merit Bùi Trung Hải.
He believes that Vietnamese audiences are no longer fixated on which actors star in a film but rather choose movies based on genre and storyline.
Director Hải also points out that one of the reasons for Ghost Lantern‘s success is its ability to diversify the Lunar New Year film lineup. While the quality of the film may be debatable, it certainly offers something different from the other three comedies.
“Ghost Lantern” leads daily box office (left) and weekend box office (right) (Photos: Box Office Vietnam)
Speaking with Dân trí, film critic Nguyễn Phong Việt expressed surprise at the film’s strong performance despite controversies and lack of star power.
“I am genuinely astonished that a film with many criticisms, no standout director or actors, and a subpar script like Ghost Lantern could achieve such impressive box office numbers. It’s hard to explain,” he said.
Critics believe that audiences are seeking a unique and different spiritual experience compared to other films available.
Film critic Lê Hồng Lâm praised the dedication of the Hanoi-based director and highlighted several strengths of the film.
“The film is meticulous in its set design, utilizing the already stunning locations in Cao Bằng Province. Hoàng Nam, who wears five hats as producer, creative director, cinematographer, screenwriter, and director, invested heavily in his debut, even selling two apartments to fund the project. This bold move is now paying off as the film impresses with its visuals, despite some areas lacking in special effects.
The art design is creative and pays homage to traditional culture. Many northern customs are woven into the film skillfully. Costumes and cinematography contribute significantly to the eerie atmosphere, while sound and music leave a lasting impression,” commented Lê Hồng Lâm.
However, he noted that the script is somewhat safe and lacks standout characters.
“In the ensemble, I particularly liked Hoàng Kim Ngọc’s portrayal of the medium,” said Lê Hồng Lâm.
Hoàng Kim Ngọc, a newcomer to acting, is considered a highlight of the film (Photo: Facebook)
Benefits from “Month of Fun” and Unique Spiritual Experience
In addition to the lack of star power, Ghost Lantern overcame several potential drawbacks, such as being a horror film unsuitable for the Lunar New Year and a YouTube influencer’s first venture into filmmaking.
Interestingly, the horror genre itself became a key factor in the film’s unexpected success.
Director and Artist of Merit Bùi Trung Hải noted that horror is gaining traction among Vietnamese audiences in the latter half of 2024. Films with ghostly elements, once censorship was relaxed, have attracted significant attention. Titles like Cam, Ma Da, and Quỷ Cẩu have each grossed around 100 billion VND. Ghost Lantern is a continuation of this trend.
“However, we must remain cautious. Lunar New Year is a special time when moviegoing demand spikes, driven by the ‘month of fun’ mentality. Therefore, high box office numbers during this period are understandable. Next week, Hollywood blockbusters like Captain America: New World Order will hit theaters, intensifying competition. This will test whether Ghost Lantern‘s initial success can be sustained,” said Director Bùi Trung Hải.
Ghost Lantern is creating a buzz in the 2025 Lunar New Year film race (Photo: Film production team).
Audience reactions after screenings in Hanoi indicate that the film’s plot is fairly straightforward and predictable, reducing engagement in later parts.
One audience member, Hồ Nghi (30), commented, “The first half was quite engaging as the tension built up, but the second half lost its intensity.” Another, Mỹ Lệ (22), added, “The revenge plot should have been more complex and layered; it currently only serves to prove the medium’s righteousness.”
Like Lê Hồng Lâm, screenwriter Nguyễn Thị Hồng Ngát acknowledges the film’s strengths while noting its limitations in the script.
She commends the film’s spiritual elements, creative use of the oil lamp as a gateway to the afterlife, thrilling hand-to-hand combat scenes, incorporation of folklore and traditional songs, and the overall eerie atmosphere created by costumes and sound. She also praises Hoàng Kim Ngọc’s role as the medium.
“Despite some flaws in the script, such as rushed character development and mediocre special effects, the film remains compelling. I admire the director’s dedication, especially given his efforts to produce the film independently,” she said.
