MovieChat Forums > Yi ge ren de wu lin (2015) Discussion > The killer's girlfriend --- SPOILER ALER...

The killer's girlfriend --- SPOILER ALERT --- !!!


I interpreted her to have a significance in Fung's killing spree through these theories (since Fung's backstory wasn't properly explained):

1. The purpose of the character is that she's supposed to be a symbol for compassion (helping Fung become a master) and peace (keeping him and others safe). But when she developed cancer and was dying, Fung became frustrated and depression grew to the point that he killed her and took all his anger on it by turning his martial knowledge and principles into maniacal killing.

2. She was actually an accomplice helping Fung with his quest to kill all the top masters. When Fung realizes that she has cancer, they move to Hong Kong and try to have her institutionalized for treatment before it's too late. But time runs out and killing her prevents him from being situated in complicated matters during his mission.

Any thoughts?

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i think he killed her to spare her from suffering. also to spare himself from suffering.

for him the martial arts were a form of escaping the pain or dealing with the pain of losing his girlfriend. when she died, becoming the ultimate martial arts master was his only goal.

also...i think he was a little bit sick in the head.

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I think Fung's backstory was explained well enough; in fact, it's explained a lot better than most martial art movie villains.

You're mostly correct about point 1, so I won't elaborate on that other than that Fung killed his wife to end her suffering. Fung wanted to be a martial arts master (likely due to overcoming his disability).

Fung's wife was not an accomplice to the killing. Recall that she was already dead for a nearly a year shortly after the movie started (after Donnie's character Hahou has been imprisoned for 3 years); note that Fung was visiting her home for memorial in the boat scene. It's customary in Asia to pay your respects in this way once a year.
As stated with your point 1, without his wife to keep him in peace, Fung becomes unhinged and devolves into a maniac, still wanting to best the masters. That's how we come to the character you see in the movie.

A bit more on the timeline order at the beginning of the movie, very loosely done:
-Hahou loses control and kills a martial artist, sent to prison.
-Fast forward roughly 2 years.
-Fung's wife dies.
-Fung maniacally practices martial arts in despair/frustration.
-During this time, Fung is in contact with Hahou asking for martial arts advice. Hahou ignorantly helps him.
-Hahou gets a personal visit from Fung, who express his true malicious intent, horrifying Hahou.
-Fung kills the first master and sends a message to Hahou to watch the news the next day.
-Donnie, I mean Hahou, brawls and defeats 17 people at once.
-Hahou is released on parole to find Fung.

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Great points. Pretty much clears up what I was trying to figure out.

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I would like to add that the fact that the killer used martial arts to kill who he loved most (his wife) which drove him insane. That's why he keeps saying the purpose of martial arts is to kill.

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Never thought of that, well said!

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I also got the impression that he might have wanted to die

Nee ta ma duh tyen-shia suo-yo duh run doh gai si

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So... no spoilers in this thread huh? ;)

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