Dad is an abusive drunk. Mom is miserable in her marriage and all out of love. Is it any wonder that their introverted older daughter, Lin Hsiao-lee (Xiao-Ying Bai), never seems to smile?
In the 2025 Taiwanese film Girl 女孩, the child is constantly alert to the dangers of home, even as she tries to act normal at school. Yet her chronic sadness and nonexistent morning appetite hint at something terribly wrong.
However, Hsiao-lee’s life takes a turn when she meets a cheerful new friend named Li-Li (Pin-Tung Lin), who speaks flawless English.
Girl 女孩 marks the directorial debut of Taiwan’s most successful female actor, Shu Qi (Millennium Mambo, The Assassin, Resurrection). Her brooding indie film certainly caught the attention of critics, making the shortlist for the Golden Lion at the Venice Film Festival.
Shu Qi set Girl 女孩 in the northern Taiwanese city of Keelung in 1988 a year after the lifting of martial law. In those days, Taiwan was much poorer and far grittier than today. The father, Chiang (Roy Chiu), works at his uncle’s car-repair shop when he’s not chain smoking, consuming vast quantities of alcohol, and beating his wife. The mother, Chuan (played by hip-hop star 9m88), earns a small income at a hair salon.
One day when the father comes home early from work, Chuan sarcastically asks if the sun set in the east that day.
“I’m the head of the family,” Chiang replies. “I can do whatever I want.”
Things escalate from there.
As the director, Shu Qi makes deft use of light. Sinister scenes in the drab family home and elsewhere are shrouded in darkness. But when Li-Li arrives on the scene, things appear brighter and the art direction more vibrant. The camerawork is exceptional.
Lin Hsiao-lee is on a life path full of peril—and Bai’s understated and subtle performance reinforces her inner turmoil. At the same time, Lin’s effervescent charm as Li-Li offers an ideal counterpart.
Meanwhile, as Chuan, 9m88 is a compelling presence, remaining defiant and not completely capitulating to her loser of a husband. Chiu, on the other hand, comes across as less nuanced in the role of Chiang.
As Girl 女孩 unfolds, it’s hard to predict where things will end. But once you’re hooked, you’ll want to stick around to learn the outcome.
LNY Splash and VIFF will present Girl 女孩 at 7:30 p.m. on Sunday (February 15) at the VIFF Centre. For tickets, visit the LNY Splash website or the VIFF Centre website.
