Satan Returns

Lore & Background

The film centers on Ching, a Hong Kong police officer who experiences recurring nightmares of a woman tied to an inverted cross having her heart dug out. During a hostage situation, she kills the armed suspect despite never having fired a gun before, and later sees the suspect standing next to a dead woman on an inverted cross. Ching joins colleagues Nam and Ka-ming to investigate a series of murders linked to a Satanic cult, with evidence including verses from the Book of Revelation written in blood.

Judas, Satan's messenger, is responsible for the murders and searches for his master's daughter, born on 6 June 1969. The police send three undercover policewomen to lure Judas, but fail. Ching learns from Judas that she is Satan's daughter. On 6 June 1996, Judas kidnaps Ching to perform a ritual to take out her heart; if she survives, she is Satan's daughter. Nam and Ka-ming rescue her, and Nam kills Judas by impaling him on a cross with a nail gun and setting him on fire. At 6 a.m., Ching digs out her own heart, survives, and shows it to Ka-ming, who screams.

Reader's Guide

Satan Returns is a notable entry in Hong Kong cinema for blending action and horror with religious themes, specifically Satanism and Christian iconography. The film's plot, involving a police officer who may be Satan's daughter, reflects the wacky, nonsensical style often seen in Hong Kong films of the era. Love HK Film gave it a negative review, criticizing this approach. The film grossed HK$6,704,385 at the Hong Kong box office during its theatrical run from 17 May to 7 June 1996. It features a cast including Donnie Yen, known for his martial arts roles, and Chingmy Yau. The film's ending, with Ching surviving self-mutilation and the burning cross falling onto a van, underscores its over-the-top tone. Its legacy lies in its cult status among fans of Hong Kong genre cinema, though it received poor critical reception.

Did You Know?

• The film's climax involves a character digging out her own heart to prove she is Satan's daughter.
• The film was directed by Lam Wai-lun.