As the name suggests, the titular “Vampire Cleanup Department,” (VCD for short) is a group of government appointed vampire slayers designated to deftly deal with jiāngshī (Chinese vampires) that run amok in Hong Kong at night, as well as with human victims who are bitten and infected/turned. The department comprises a Maoshan Taoist monk, a weapons design specialist, led by their head, the stoic Master Chau (played by Chin Siu-ho, who also starred in the 80s classic “Mr. Vampire,” a popular C-horror based on jiāngshī lore).
As a majority of its members are ageing out of the profession and/or killed on duty, the department decides to recruit ‘new blood’ to help in keeping the streets of Hong Kong vampire free, in the process, enlisting a young man named Tim (Babyjohn Choi) who is immune to jiāngshī venom. On his first mission, the rookie slayer receives a ‘vampire kiss’ and brings home a female jiāngshī named Summer (Lin Min Chen). Upon realizing she is a rare and harmless breed of jiāngshī, Tim aids her in relearning the ways of the living so she can return to normalcy. However, Summer is bonded to an ancient male jiāngshī who is not as harmless, very hungry and on the prowl.
Jiāngshī Defy Traditional Vampire Tropes
According to an elderly VCD member, Uncle Chung (the late Richard Ng), Jiāngshī have existed ever since Hong Kong was opened for trading, and thus there are many movies dating back to as early as the 1930s dedicated to these creatures of the night. My curiosity obviously got the better of me and I even came across a crossover production between Hammer Films (the studio behind various iconic monster movies including the 1958 film adaptation of “Dracula” starring Christopher Lee) and Hong Kong based Shaw Brothers Studio, titled “The Legend of the 7 Golden Vampires”. It starred Peter Cushing reprising his role as Van Helsing to fight off 7 jiāngshī… with martial arts thrown in for good measure (how’s that for campy?). While I’m yet to watch that one, “Vampire Cleanup Department” can be considered as a modern day take on the genre.
Jiāngshī differ from your traditional Western/European vampire. Yes, they do come across as slower cousins to Dracula/Nosferatu and are still highly allergic to sunlight. They too take their time, slowly stalking their victims till the cows come home with arms outstretched. But what sets them apart is that they tend to hop towards their prey at a sluggish pace (I’m not kidding). Hence, earning the amusing nickname ‘hopping vampire’.
An Entertaining Yet Moving Watch
Although considering their macabre appearance and the character design/makeup in this movie, as well as upon seeing an agape mouth full of razor-sharp teeth heading towards me in a dark alleyway, I would most certainly still leg it regardless of their speed/velocity! Also, gone are the garlic, crucifix and stakes to the heart. In “Vampire Cleanup Department,” the vampires can only be killed by a special engraved sword hidden in a mop which is wielded by both Master Chau and his protégé Tim.
With its non-linear storytelling, combination of action, romance and comedy, ‘Vampire Cleanup Department’ proves to be an entertaining yet moving watch. The tender relationship between Tim and Summer reminded me of the zombie romance, Warm Bodies. The slow burn romance isn’t the only wholesome aspect, as in another scene, Master Chau arranges for the funeral of an old man who was brutally killed by one of the Jiāngshī while on a stroll with his young granddaughter. This selfless act depicts a more caring side to the usually stern veteran vampire slayer.
Good Ensemble Performances
Comic gags such as the undead Summer eating Tim’s smartphone during their first meet-cute evoke chuckles. Tim’s training montage of learning to fight off Jiāngshī via the literal sweep and discard method (which runs parallel to him training Summer to behave like a human being) is in itself a parody of the “Wax on, Wax Off” scene from “Karate Kid.” In return, the young tech geek also teaches his older counterparts to navigate social media and digitally update their ancient scrolls.
The ensemble cast delivers good performances. Lin Min Chen is compelling. She emotes well in scenes where Summer gradually regains human emotions and her ability to walk rather than hop (albeit in a wobbly, clumsy fashion). On paper, Tim is an annoying and quite pathetic character, nonetheless, Babyjohn Choi is a likable leading man, aptly goofy, simultaneously heroic in the role and eventually the character also grew on me. Chin Siu-ho, Richard Ng, Lo Mang, Yuen Cheung-yan, Siu Yam-yam and Jiro Lee enact their respective roles well too.
If you’re tired of the usual Western/European vampire fare and wish to switch it up and hop on to the jiāngshī wagon, then “Vampire Cleanup Department” is a thoroughly engrossing and fun introduction to the genre.
*Available on Rakuten Viki and Amazon Prime.
