Painted Skin 画皮
Adapted from the classic Chinese supernatural collection Strange Tales from a Chinese Studio (Liao Zhai), Painted Skin is a haunting tale of love, sacrifice, and deception.
When the mysterious and beautiful Xiaowei enters the household of General Wang Sheng, she quickly captivates everyone around her. While Wang Sheng is drawn to her charm, his devoted wife, Peirong, senses a dark secret lurking beneath Xiaowei’s flawless appearance. Unable to convince her husband of the danger, Peirong watches helplessly as a series of gruesome murders plague the city, each victim found with their heart removed.
Unknown to all, Xiaowei is a fox spirit who survives by consuming human hearts to maintain her human form. Assisting her is Xiaoyi, a powerful spirit whose unrequited love for Xiaowei drives him to commit the killings on her behalf.
When Peirong finally discovers Xiaowei’s true identity, she makes an extraordinary sacrifice to protect innocent lives. Surrendering her place beside Wang Sheng, she offers to bear the blame for the murders if Xiaowei will end the bloodshed. Instead, Xiaowei curses her with a poison that transforms her into a feared white-haired demoness.
As tragedy unfolds, Wang Sheng is forced to confront the truth about love, loyalty, and appearances. In the end, Xiaowei comes to a painful realization: despite her efforts, Wang Sheng’s heart has always belonged to Peirong. Faced with the ultimate choice, Xiaowei must decide whether to sacrifice everything, including the human form she so desperately clings to, to redeem herself and restore the lives she has destroyed.
Cast: Donnie Yen, Zhou Xun, Vicki Zhao, Chen Kun, Sun Li
Director: Gordon Chan
Duration: 115 mins
Languages: Chinese
Production year: 2008