John Hau directed this Category 3 rated shocker Passion Unbounded in Hong Kong, 1995. The film stars Carrie Ng as a mysterious lady living with her sister in a gorgeous apartment near the places in which several brutal murders have taken place recently. Does she (or they) have something to do with it, or perhaps the new and mysterious neighbor living next to them? The plot gets more complicated and unbelievable as usual and it definitely isn't the reason to watch this film.
The characters' depth and their motivations are somewhat non-existing so it is very frustrating trying to find some meaning from this film, other than just shock value. So let's concentrate on the few positive cinematic aspects this film has. The soundtrack is easily the strongest element here and creates some genuinely frightening segments and unexpected shocks to the senses. The film is pretty dark and also atmospheric so this is already more watchable film than some mindless CAT 3 exploitation trash like Ivan Lai's Daughter of Darkness 2 (1994) and many others. Passion Unbounded is exploitation and has its "child abused and turned into mad killer as an adult" background there just to give even some reason for the killer to do his/her deeds. This subject matter is very serious but it is exploited ruthlessly in this film and thus it hasn't got any meaning or importance here as it does in films like Henry: Portrait of a Serial Killer or The Reflecting Skin. This is CAT 3 exploitation with some gore and violent murders and sex, and that's all this film wants to be.
The ending is mildly powerful and "unexpected" and gives a little chill before the film ends. But it all could have been so much more and more noteworthy. The film's exploitation status is proved most visibly during the end credits as all the film's gory murders are re-played in the background as the credits roll! Even Italian zombie/cannibal exploitation film makers couldn't do that!
Passion Unbounded would be totally horrible viewing experience if it didn't have these mentioned horror and suspense elements which are handled pretty well. Still this is far away from the real masterpieces of the genre and only most forgiving and tolerable Asian cinema buffs will find even something positive in this film. 4/10
