* This article contains plot spoilers.

Released in 2018, "Ly trieu di truyen" by author Phan Cuong gained popularity for its blend of history, occultism, ghost soldiers, dark magic, and court intrigue. The work has been reprinted multiple times, becoming one of the most discussed Vietnamese horror-fantasy stories on social media.

The film adaptation revolves around Than Duc (Anh Tu Atus), a half-human, half-demon who seeks to free the Demon Xuong Cuong from Ai Mat Nguoi to restore the Xuong Cuong Cult. To achieve this, he needs to find a wandering soul medium and a white tiger yin spirit. Than Duc disguises himself as a physician, arriving in Hui Village under the guise of healing, but encounters village chief Lo Dat. Mysterious events in the village complicate Than Duc's objectives.

Bringing the popular story to the big screen, director Tran Huu Tan and producer Hoang Quan retained the original's thrilling elements, including complex characters, mysteries surrounding dark magic, and a distinct mystical tone. However, the team shifted the setting to the Le Trung Hung dynasty, a period rich in documentation for costumes, architecture, and beliefs.

"This adjustment helps audiences connect with the story's spirit while allowing the team to expand the historical depth, thereby creating more convincing and authentic settings, costumes, and spiritual rituals," director Tran Huu Tan stated.

Anh Tu Atus plays the lead role of Than Duc. *Photo: Film crew provided*

Hui Village, where much of the story unfolds, was newly built in a primeval forest in Da Lat. According to director Tran Huu Tan, the real setting offered advantages like a cold, gray sky, forest mist, and the scent of local cuisine, creating a somber atmosphere difficult to recreate with special effects. The team designed wooden-roofed houses, poultry coops, herb beds, hunting tools, and textiles based on folk documentation.

500 period costumes were designed based on worship statues, carved paintings, and historical documents. The director integrated folk beliefs and folk customs into the narrative, such as the image of a shaman performing exorcisms, a wandering storyteller, ritual wrestling matches, and jar burials.

Visually and audibly, the film crew aimed to create a captivating cinematic space. The gloomy, muted color palette, primeval forest setting, and Hui Village evoke a realistic, weighty atmosphere. Close-up shots of expressions, along with wide shots of Ai Mat Nguoi, the burial ground, or the wrestling arena, were staged on a large scale.

The team invested in the setting and costumes. *Photo: Film crew provided*

The film crew meticulously handled the sound design, incorporating wind rustling through trees, ritual drumbeats, and murmured prayers during exorcisms, all contributing to the eerie atmosphere. "The vibrant sound combined with cinematic visuals immerses audiences into a spiritual world, allowing them to feel both the tension and the mystique in each scene," director Tran Huu Tan said.

The team also carefully selected each actor to create emotional depth. Than Duc is Anh Tu Atus's most challenging role to date. He had to portray two contrasting sides: gentle and calm as a physician; cruel and cold as a demon prince. Luong The Thanh returns to cinema as the upright, strong village chief Lo Dat.

Hoang Linh Chi makes her debut in a lead role, fitting the image of a shaman who is both mysterious and gentle. Thanh Truc's role as Phan Cuong provides comedic relief, balancing intense scenes. Meanwhile, artist Binh Tinh transforms into Lady Tue Lieu, a calculating mother who endures many tragedies.

Luong The Thanh plays Lo Dat, the chief of Hui Village. *Photo: Film crew provided*

After "Tet o lang dia nguc", "Ke an hon", and "Cam", director Tran Huu Tan and producer Hoang Quan continue to showcase their strengths with "The demon prince": transforming beloved Vietnamese original works into distinct cinematic adaptations. They stated that the new film respects the spirit of the original but refreshes the storytelling, expands the historical context, explores layers of Vietnamese cultural beliefs, and elevates it through visuals, acting, and sound.

"The demon prince" is currently selling tickets and will premiere in cinemas nationwide from 5/12.

Hieu Chau