A Supernatural Romance That Feels Comfortably Familiar

Read Time:6 Minute, 37 Second

MOVIE REVIEWS
Picture Of A Nymph (Hua zhong xian)
–

Genre: Action, Fantasy, Horror, Romance
Year Released: 1987, 88 Films Blu-ray 2026
Runtime: 1h 37m
Director(s): Wu Ma
Writer(s): Tsui Hark, Szeto Cheuk-hon (story influenced by Pu Song-ling folklore traditions)
Cast: Yuen Biao, Joey Wang, Wu Ma, Lawrence Ng, Elizabeth Lee
Where to Watch: available now, order your copy here: www.88-films.myshopify.com, www.mvdshop.com, or www.amazon.com

RAVING REVIEW: The late 1980s were a fascinating moment for Hong Kong fantasy cinema. Filmmakers were experimenting with wild swings that could jump from comedy to martial-arts action to tragic romance without warning. That era produced one of the genre’s most beloved films, A CHINESE GHOST STORY. Once that film exploded in popularity, it didn’t take long for similar supernatural romances to appear. PICTURE OF A NYMPH is one of the most obvious examples. Rather than feeling like a cheap imitation, though, it plays more like a companion piece built from the same creative DNA.

The connection between the two films is not accidental. Joey Wang, whose performance as the tragic ghost Nie Xiaoqian, who became iconic in A CHINESE GHOST STORY, returns here as another lonely spirit caught between worlds. Wu Ma also returns, this time acting and directing, after memorably portraying the Taoist priest in the earlier film. That overlap alone makes the comparison unavoidable, and PICTURE OF A NYMPH clearly understands that audiences would arrive expecting something similar.

At the center of the story is Shih Erh, played by martial-arts star Yuen Biao. Unlike the naive protagonists that usually anchor these ghost romances, Shih Erh is a Taoist monk-in-training trying to prove himself while dealing with the guilt of accidentally burning down a scholar’s home during a battle with a demon. That scholar, Tsui Hung-Chuen, becomes the film's central figure as he finds himself drawn into a supernatural world he barely understands.

The ghostly woman who changes everything is Mo Chiu, played by Joey Wang, with the same sadness that made her earlier ghost performance so memorable. Mo Chiu is trapped under the control of a sinister spirit known as King Ghost, and the film’s central conceit centers on the scholar painting her portrait so she can hide within it. The image becomes both a sanctuary and a prison, giving the story one of its most creative ideas. Watching Mo Chiu move between the physical world and the painted canvas creates some of the film’s most imaginative sequences.

This premise also helps explain why the comparison to A CHINESE GHOST STORY is so strong. Both films revolve around doomed ethereal love stories between a human and a sorrowful spirit. Both blend atmosphere with bursts of martial-arts chaos. Both feature Taoist monks fighting demons using mystical rituals and exaggerated weaponry. And of course, both rely heavily on Joey Wang’s ability to embody a character who is equal parts beautiful, tragic, and unreachable.

The difference lies in scale and tone. A CHINESE GHOST STORY was a massive production full of elaborate set pieces and emotional devastation. PICTURE OF A NYMPH feels smaller and softer. The story leans more into comedy and character interactions, especially between the trio of Yuen Biao, Lawrence Ng, and Wu Ma. Their constant bickering and attempts to deal with the supernatural create a lighter atmosphere than that of their predecessor's operatic melodrama.

Yuen Biao brings a physicality to the film that separates it from many other ghost romances. Known primarily for his acrobatic martial-arts work in Hong Kong action cinema, Biao adds bursts of energy whenever the story threatens to slow down. His training sequences and demon encounters inject the film with the kind of choreography fans of the era expect.

There is something undeniably compelling about the way Joey Wang plays these otherworldly characters. She doesn’t rely on elaborate dialogue or dramatic gestures. Instead, she conveys Mo Chiu’s sadness through expressions and physicality. When the character appears surrounded by mist or drifting fabric, the imagery taps into the dreamy visual language that defined many supernatural Hong Kong films of the period.

The story spends a surprising amount of time on the comedic aspects and the growing friendship between the human characters. While those scenes are charming, they sometimes pull focus away from the central romance. The villain also never reaches the level of menace the story needs. Elizabeth Lee’s King Ghost is striking but underdeveloped, appearing more as an obstacle than a fully realized antagonist.

The film makes up for those shortcomings with pure creativity. Hong Kong fantasy cinema during this period thrived on imagination rather than perfection. The supernatural effects may look rough by modern standards, but they carry a playful inventiveness that keeps the film engaging. Another aspect that helps the movie stand out is its visual atmosphere. Fog-filled forests, abandoned temples, and ghostly interiors create an environment where the supernatural feels believable. Even when the narrative slows down, the imagery maintains the film’s mystical mood.

For fans of A CHINESE GHOST STORY, PICTURE OF A NYMPH ultimately works best when viewed not as a competitor but as a cousin in spirit. It explores many of the same ideas about love, sacrifice, and the fragile boundary between the human and spirit worlds. The emotional highs never reach the same level, but the film still captures enough of that magic to remain worthwhile. It also represents a fascinating snapshot of Hong Kong genre filmmaking during one of its most experimental periods. Movies like this weren’t afraid to mix comedy, horror, romance, and martial arts in the same story. That chaotic mixture of tones is exactly what gives the film its personality.

The result is an entertaining supernatural romance that lives comfortably in the shadow of a masterpiece. It may not surpass its inspiration, but it carries enough charm, creativity, and star power to stand on its own as a notable entry in Hong Kong’s ghost-story tradition. For viewers who love that era of cinema, PICTURE OF A NYMPH feels like rediscovering a lost video-store treasure. And with the new restoration bringing the film back into circulation, it finally has another chance to be appreciated as more than just a footnote to a classic.

Bonus Materials:
LIMITED EDITION RIGID SLIP CASE WITH NEW ARTWORK BY SEAN LONGMORE
LIMITED EDITION 40-PAGE PERFECT BOUND BOOK
LIMITED EDITION PREMIUM ARTCARD
BRAND NEW 2K RESTORATION FROM THE ORIGINAL NEGATIVE
REMASTERED ORIGINAL CANTONESE MONOAURAL SOUNDTRACK
NEWLY TRANSLATED ENGLISH SUBTITLES
AUDIO COMMENTARY BY FRANK DJENG (NY ASIAN FILM FESTIVAL)
AUDIO COMMENTARY BY DAVID WEST
IMAGE GALLERY
ORIGINAL TRAILER

Please visit https://linktr.ee/overlyhonestr for more reviews.

You can follow me on Letterboxd, Instagram, Twitter, and YouTube. My social media accounts can also be found on most platforms by searching for 'Overly Honest Reviews'.

I’m always happy to hear from my readers; please don't hesitate to say hello or send me any questions about movies.

[photo courtesy of 88 FILMS, MVD ENTERTAINMENT]

DISCLAIMER:
At Overly Honest Movie Reviews, we value honesty and transparency. Occasionally, we receive complimentary items for review, including DVDs, Blu-rays, CDs, Vinyl Records, Books, and more. We assure you that these arrangements do not influence our reviews, as we are committed to providing unbiased and sincere evaluations. We aim to help you make informed entertainment choices regardless of our relationship with distributors or producers.

Amazon Affiliate Links:
Additionally, this site contains Amazon affiliate links. If you purchase through these links, we may receive a commission. This affiliate arrangement does not affect our commitment to honest reviews and helps support our site. We appreciate your trust and support as you navigate these links.