“The Last Wife” director Victor Vũ’s Vietnamese supernatural thriller “Detective Kien: The Headless Horror” has locked down international distribution deals across major global territories following its unveiling at Hong Kong FilMart 2025.
Mockingbird Pictures, handling international sales for the period horror-mystery, confirmed distribution partnerships with 3388 Films (North America), Infinity Group (Australia and New Zealand), MovieCloud (Taiwan), and Lotte Cultureworks (Korea). Negotiations remain active for additional territories including Thailand, Malaysia, China, and Hong Kong.
Set against the atmospheric backdrop of 19th-century Vietnam during the Nguyễn Dynasty, the film centers on a terrifying mystery after the discovery of a headless corpse sends shockwaves through a rural village.
Vũ, known for his sophisticated visual style and storytelling prowess, delivers what Mockingbird Pictures describes as a “cinematic experience that is both visually stunning and emotionally gripping” with a narrative full of “chilling twists and heart-pounding moments.”
Production authenticity was paramount, with the crew creating nearly 1,000 custom-designed period costumes to accurately represent the historical era. Actors reportedly wore between three to five layers of clothing daily to authentically portray the social hierarchy and cultural elements of the period.
“We are thrilled to bring Victor Vũ’s vision from Vietnam to a global audience,” said Phong Duong, business director of Mockingbird Pictures, who worked alongside Ngoc Bui, senior manager at Galaxy Studio, to secure the international distribution agreements.
The film is co-produced by Vũ’s November Films and Vietnam’s Galaxy Studio, with Mockingbird Pictures handling global sales rights.
“Detective Kien: The Headless Horror” is scheduled for a local release on April 30, strategically timed to coincide with Vietnam’s Reunification Day holiday.
