Content Advisory: Kidnapping
A teenage girl becomes a karate-fighting vigilante and learns a secret about her mother’s past in Out of the Shadow. Chu Po (Larine Tang) is a teenager tired of being held down by her overprotective mother Ying (Kay Tse). As such, Po secretly begins receiving karate lessons from Madam Mo (Natalie Tong), using her skills to become a viral masked vigilante named “Karate Girl.” Chu Po is called by young priest Mah Chun (Ansonbean), concerned that his reformed father Teddy (Lawrence Cheng) has become re-involved with the mob. Additionally, Chu Po realizes that Ying has been hiding a secret from both their past.
Out of the Shadow Synopsis
Out of the Shadow is a karate crime thriller directed by Ricky Ko. The plot of the film has similarities to The Karate Kid, specifically how the protagonist Chu Po learns karate and becomes a vigilante, who goes viral on YouTube. The film also tackles the history of Chu Po’s mother Ying, established in the opening prologue as a former undercover detective, who failed in her efforts to arrest drug lord Ms. Becky. The past comes back to haunt Ying when mobster Jik (Michael Ning) blackmails Ms. Becky’s former associate, turned reformed priest Teddy to sell drugs out of his church, resulting in Chu Po being called by Teddy’s son Mah Chun to help out.
My Thoughts on Out of the Shadow
In addition to featuring quite a bit of karate action, Out of the Shadow is also a film about mother-daughter bonding. There is a third act reveal involving the relationship between Chu Po and Ying, which adds an extra level to the drama of the film. Altogether, Out of the Shadow is a sold karate crime thriller.
Trailer for Out of the Shadow – Fantasia 2024
