Hungry Ghosts (2020– ) User Reviews

Overall okay, some missed opportunities.

[duriantram · 7/10 · 11 September 2020]

Overall it was an okay series, had enough jump scares to get the heart racing. I love the diversity of the cast and the familiar Melbourne filming locations, however the story could do with a bit of improvement such as exploring the themes in a bit more depth.

Highlight of the show was Sophie, makes a very convincing and ever so slightly creepy possessed vengeful spirit.

Finally a show where the cast reflects reality

[jcha7580 · 7/10 · 19 September 2020]

Beautifully shot. Great to see Melbourne in this light and a cast that actually represents real life. Some nice performances across the board and enjoyed seeing Gabrielle Chan's performance, it was quite touching.

Enjoyed it

[Quigonjay · 6/10 · 2 September 2020]

Not sure why it is listed as comedy/drama/horror as there is no comedy but certainly drama and a bit of horror. I guess one could argue that some of the atrocities committed in the Vietnam war are more horrific than any of the ghosts in this production but if I have understood it correctly the ghosts have emerged to correct some of those atrocities. Do not think I have seen anything based around Vietnamese lore before but I like it, solid production.

Terrible.

[HW90038 · 24 August 2020]

What an absolute disappointment. Badly written, badly directed Australian rubbish. I try to support Aussie homegrown entertainment but boy, I'm getting tired of seeing so much money being spent on unwatchable shows.

let her lead

[SnoopyStyle · 6/10 · 17 August 2021]

Liz Stockton (Clare Bowen) leads an International landmine clearing team in Vietnam. She accidentally uncovers an ancient tomb and unleashes hungry ghosts. She reconnects with her famed photographer father Neil Stockton (Bryan Brown). The ghosts bring havoc to the Vietnamese community in Australia. May Le (Catherine Van-Davies) must rediscover her heritage after her grandmother's death to stop a powerful force from the beyond.

This is an Australian TV miniseries trying to tell a Vietnamese ghost story. The first issue is the lead. May Le needs to be the lead without a doubt. Yet the show starts with Clare Bowen as if she's the lead. The introduction should be introducing the lead and the story. This really only does the story. May Le should start the show and be in every scene. She needs to be the center and everything. These characters need to rotate around her. She's the bridge between the western world and the ancient Vietnamese world. Bowen feels very detached. I suspect that Bowen and Brown are the named actors used to sell the project but their characters never got properly integrated into the story.

As a ghost story, it needs something scarier. I do like the culture but the story telling is muddled. The exposition comes in the second episode and the whole thing is only four episodes long. It's clunky. They introduce a villain in the second episode. The premise could be interesting but the execution needs work. There is a fun little ghost story with an exotic culture here but it could be better.

So bad....a missed opportunity

[russmeacham · 1/10 · 25 August 2020]

I was looking forward to this series as it was an exciting new approach in Australian film. The story line is an excellent base for a great series. But it has failed miserably to deliver a watchable series. I've given up after two episodes of trying to find a reason to continue. The screenplay is poorly written, the directing is woeful, the acting - from even well known and experienced actors - is stilted and the editing is amateurish. I've read published reviews and it seems to me that reviewers are trying very hard to support this series and Australian film, rather than critique it. That won't help build an industry. If it walks like a duck, quacks like a duck.... I too want to see a thriving Australian film scene with actors getting a chance to perform and perfect their craft - but please don't fool yourself this is a good attempt. Its not - its cringeworthy. Watching grass grow is more satisfying....Hopefully the newish actors can take this as a development experience and go on to doing better work rather than listen to the published reviewers misleading them as to how good this is!

This is total rubbish

[Hamlet2 · 1/10 · 5 September 2020]

I do not understand the positive reviews of this total rubbish. Did they see a different series. My wife and I gave up after episode 2. The script is dreadful, the lighting dreadful and the acting by most of the cast is simply embarrasing including Bryan Brown who as usual plays Bryan Brown. He usually gets away with it but not this time due to the poor script and woeful directing. The story is incoherent from scene one. How does crap like this ever get financed?

So scary and so good

[candicebewoulf · 9/10 · 25 August 2020]

This show made me jump so many times. I can't stop watching! Love Bryan Brown and Susie Porter. And the Asian actors are all so good even though I've never seen any of them before. Grandma is so cute. I don't get the bad reviews at all. Acting seems pretty good to me. I like all the characters, especially the evil and/or quirkier ones. The scenes are really beautifully shot. Seems very high quality to me. Definitely watch it if you want a scare while being immersed in Vietnamese culture. I'm learning so much, it's great! It's like being reminded of my trip to south east Asia in 2017, before covid and we could travel.

Ripe off of The Mummy - opportunity missed

[Movieromantic · 3/10 · 25 August 2020]

I so wanted to like this mini series as it had the opportunity to explore the Asian Culture and tradition in a Western Setting but instead we got a cheap Hollywood ripe off. At least in the Mummy franchise there is a great introduction on the background of the monster and the Egyptian tradition. There is minimal background story building here even though the story spans 4 nights.

Most of the Asian Ghost Genre movie will feature a hero in the Taoist tradition. The Taoist culture in dealing with the after life is one of the oldest tradition in the world and it is still be followed today. That itself should have been the corner stone of which the story is build on . Instead the story is build like a teenager "treasure quest" to locate the 3 soles by following clues.

The casting of Catherine Van Davis as May Le, the main protagonist is confusing. Is she suppose to be funny ? Strong ? A rebel ? She failed to deliver in all of the above. Perhaps a better cast would have been Nina Liu who played a similar character ( Mei in Heartbreak High).

Once feels this was a miss opportunity by the writers and director to make something special for the Australian audiences and the Asian actors. There was a number of high quality and low budget Ghost or Zombie films from HK , Malaysia or Thailand they could have borrowed ideas from.

Opportunity missed.

Quality Australian drama

[sa-williams686 · 10/10 · 6 September 2020]

I thoroughly enjoyed Hungry Ghosts. Weaving history details throughout the series was really interesting, and has motivated me to learn more about the Vietnam war. I thought the acting was great, was refreshing to watch.

Spooky Acting..

[murada1967 · 5/10 · 31 August 2021]

Decent story which is a bit drawn out specifically let down by some sub standard acting. Mild scares and jumps in places. Not the worse thing I have ever seen but could have been a lot better.

Draggy Plot

[citronnade2022 · 3/10 · 9 November 2021]

I watched the first 15 mins and give up. Too may characters introduced. Layers to peel off before it even begins. I was trying to catch up and figure out who's who and before I even get a chance to do it, another new character was introduced.

Great show with scares, laughs and important messages

[f-85991-82400 · 10/10 · 25 August 2020]

First, the previous reviews about the show seem unfairly harsh, but each to their own. I don't write reviews that much, but feel I need to this time to give others an alternative perspective, because I think the show is really good, and I'm hooked. Great to see new fresh faces on screen! So refreshing. So important to see stories that embrace multiculturalism in Australia. The first episode is well paced (so spooky) with some really good scares. The cast is particularly good, with strong performances from the main actors. Love all the characters and those who play them, and particularly adore the older actors. The show doesn't follow any genre formula, with comedy, drama and supernatural horror themes interwoven. It is enthralling viewing. Draws you in and keeps you interested. There are scary parts that will make you jump and there are laugh out loud bits to make things a little fun. I may not be an expert, but I know I like this show, and it deserves no less than a 10! Give me more SBS!!

Great watching! I don't understand the bad reviews

[supremacypictures · 9/10 · 25 August 2020]

I don't understand what the other reviewers were expecting? Predictable shooty shooty US type movies? Tom Cruise saving the day?

This is a movie set in the suburbs of Melbourne, it runs significant parallels with the experiences and lifestyles of many Vietnamese Australians of various generations. The horror sequences are extremely realistic and well timed and spaced. The plot was obviously well scrutinised by producers and writers and is quite suspenseful and non-cliched. Overall a great series made by Australians for Australians. A great highlight to 2020.

Stick with it...

[peteratne · 8/10 · 31 August 2020]

First episode was a bit of an effort; but the remainder of the series was engaging. Overall, thoroughly enjoyable.

Fantastic, gripping, a must watch!

[lslod · 10/10 · 18 September 2020]

"Hungry Ghosts" is an exceptional series. It is a must watch! The actors are brilliant. The culturally diverse story reels you in with its' twists and turns. It is emotional, gripping, thrilling and you just are 'hungry' for more!! We need more of these types of series and projects!! It is a definite MUST WATCH. Bravo!

Top Series Pick for 2020

[rizbankyz · 10/10 · 15 September 2020]

What an outstanding concept for a series. I applaud the creators of this show and cast and crew for their bravely in telling this spectacular Australian story. I feel the message in this series transcends All cultures. The direction is marvellous. Each scene was carefully beautifully brought to life by director Shawn Seet. The cast were fantastic and it was very refreshing to see so many diverse faces. On Aussie screens. I really enjoyed the cameos by Susie Porter and Gary Sweet who did a great job. My only quarrel is that this series deserved more episodes to indulge the audience on the developed storyline's. The characters are engrossing and addictive such as Suzy Wrong who played Roxy, the talented Catherine Van Davies as May Le and Gabrielle Chan was a delight to watch. I was also really interested in the vengeful Ghost Quang's storyline, beautifully portrayed by Vico Thai but was only given snippets of his history, not enough! The story may gel better if writers and creators were given room for more episodes. The Ghosts characters storyline's were lacking and inconsistent at times. Ryan Corr did a great job of looking scared and it was lovely to see Claire Bowen and Justine Clark in different challenging roles. Overall great casting, great acting and a great new series for 2020, something you can watch more than once.

A breath of fresh air

[sarah-78154 · 10/10 · 8 September 2020]

So great to see diversity on Australian screens, humour, scares and stories. Loved it and hope we get more of this instead of the same old hospital and cop dramas.

The past may haunt us...

[annebouscal · 8/10 · 16 December 2020]

... but it needn't define us.

Beautifully produced and written. The film introduces us to Vietnamese traditions, including the Hungry Ghost Festival, as experienced through first and second generation immigrants to Australia. The film relies on the relationships amongst the generations to tell its story.

Although there are ghosts and damned souls, I would call it a morality play rather than a spooky story. Young people, overwhelmed by war, homelessness, poverty, and near starvation made expedient decisions. Decades later, those decisions still haunt them, but with the benefit of time, love, and maturity, they may learn to forgive themselves and others.

Excellent Series

[ladymidath · 10/10 · 10 October 2021]

I watched Hungry Ghosts on SBS and I found myself drawn into the story. The acting was superb with Brian Brown doing a great job as usual. There was also a twist at the end that I didn't see coming. This is a very good series that deals with some difficult and tragic subject matters, such as the Vietnam War and the fates of many refugees. This is a top-notch series that I highly recommend.