“The Pig, the Snake, and the Pigeon”: A Must-See Crime Thriller Sweeping Across Screens
“The Pig, the Snake, and the Pigeon,” a Taiwanese crime thriller, has become a cinematic sensation, now playing in mainland China. Given its intense violence and gore, many initially doubted its chances of passing censorship. Yet, it defied expectations. This film, directed by Huang Jingfu and starring Ethan Juan, gained momentum with preview screenings in multiple cities, climbing from an 8.1 to an 8.4 on Douban, emerging as a dark horse at the box office.
A Darkly Twisted Take on a Classic Tale
The film draws inspiration from the ancient Chinese story of Zhou Chu, who rid his village of three scourges. In the original tale, Zhou Chu, a young man known for his strength but also his troublemaking, was seen as a nuisance by his community. After slaying a man-eating tiger and a river dragon, he returned to find the villagers celebrating his supposed death, believing all three threats were gone.
A wise man then advised Zhou Chu to focus on making a name for himself through good deeds. Inspired, Zhou Chu turned his life around, becoming a loyal and filial servant of the state.
“The Pig, the Snake, and the Pigeon” reimagines this story with a dark twist. Ethan Juan plays Chen Guilin, a wanted criminal who, upon learning he has terminal cancer, decides to make his mark by eliminating the top three most-wanted criminals. He seeks to become a legendary figure, a modern-day Zhou Chu. However, his quest takes unexpected turns, forcing him to confront his own sins and face the consequences.
Unlike the original story’s theme of redemption, the film presents a morally ambiguous narrative. Chen Guilin’s actions, while seemingly beneficial to society, are driven by selfish desires. He craves recognition and fears being forgotten, seeking to end his life with a bang.
Another pivotal character is Sister Guiqing, played by Hsieh Chiung-hsuan, who shelters the three most-wanted criminals. She is the one who informs Chen Guilin of his terminal illness and encourages him to turn himself in, setting off his quest for meaning.
However, the truth is far from what Guiqing presents. This twist, revealed at the film’s climax, adds a layer of dark humor and absurdity to the story.
A Visceral and Thrilling Ride
Ethan Juan describes the film as a product of director Huang Jingfu’s “madness,” resulting in a “crazy script” brought to life by a “crazy cast.”
Chen Guilin’s first target is Hong Kong Zai, played by Yuen Fu-wah, the second most-wanted criminal. Hong Kong Zai has been living a quiet life under a false identity. A woman, grateful for his help, takes the fall for his crimes and goes to prison in his place.
Wang Jing plays Cheng Xiaomei, the woman’s daughter, who is left vulnerable after her mother’s imprisonment and falls under Hong Kong Zai’s control. Xiaomei runs a barbershop that serves as Hong Kong Zai’s new criminal hideout and a place where he can exploit her.
Chen Guilin observes the situation, seeking an opportunity to eliminate Hong Kong Zai while also wanting to rescue Xiaomei from her plight. When Chen Guilin visits the barbershop, Hong Kong Zai mistakes him for Xiaomei’s admirer, triggering his jealousy.
The film features a brutal and intense fight scene between Chen Guilin and Hong Kong Zai, delivering a satisfying dose of violent catharsis.
Chen Guilin’s next target is Lin Lufeng, played by Chen Yi-wen, the most-wanted criminal. Lin Lufeng has reinvented himself as a spiritual guru, severing ties with his family and establishing a spiritual center in the mountains.
When Chen Guilin confronts him, Lin Lufeng claims that the criminal Lin Lufeng died long ago. Chen Guilin believes the lie and is drawn into the spiritual center.
The initiation ceremony is disturbing, requiring members to donate their money and cherished possessions, shave their heads, and be whipped while chanting: “I thank heaven and earth, I thank my parents, I am a sinner, I harm the world, I fail all living beings, I am willing to give up everything, eliminate fame and power, abandon money and material possessions, and return to my true self…”
Chen Guilin soon discovers that the guru is a fraud who is only interested in making money. After being exposed, Lin Lufeng has Chen Guilin buried alive. However, Chen Guilin miraculously escapes and embarks on a path of revenge.
The ensuing massacre is a cathartic experience. One viewer commented: “As someone who hates stupidity, I must deify that massacre scene. Huang Jingfu deserves the Golden Horse Award for Best Director just for having the courage to film it.”
Ethan Juan’s Triumphant Return
Ethan Juan rose to fame through idol dramas such as “Green Forest, My Home” and “Fated to Love You.” Later, he transitioned to more serious roles, winning the Golden Horse Award for Best Actor for his portrayal of a complex gangster in the film “Monga.”
However, he struggled to find roles that surpassed his performance in “Monga.” His return to romance dramas in mainland China with “Taste of Love” received a low score of 4.4 on Douban, and his collaboration with Jackie Chan in the Lunar New Year film “The Knight of Shadows: Between Yin and Yang” only scored 3.8. While his performances in the crime films “The追緝” and “Wrath of Desire” showed promise, they did not lead to a career resurgence.
“The Pig, the Snake, and the Pigeon” marks Ethan Juan’s triumphant return. He was nominated for the Golden Horse Award for Best Actor, and many judges and viewers considered him to be Wu Kang-ren’s strongest competitor.
The film’s English title, “The Pig, the Snake, and the Pigeon,” is symbolic. Hong Kong Zai represents the greedy pig, Lin Lufeng embodies the cunning snake, and Chen Guilin symbolizes the pigeon that seeks freedom. Ethan Juan delivers a stellar performance, seamlessly blending the madness of a killer with the peace of a reborn soul.
The film’s final scene, in which Chen Guilin is executed, is a powerful showcase of Ethan Juan’s acting prowess. He portrays a sense of joy and transcendence. Ethan Juan’s performance alone is worth a second viewing of the fil END-