During the premiere of the film "Ma Xo" on the afternoon of 3/6 in Ho Chi Minh City, the actress shared that she had been contemplating this decision due to past issues with expressions and appearance in some of her roles. In 2025, when Tin Nguyen played a maid in Victor Vu's historical film "Tham Tu Kien", many viewers commented that her face lacked naturalness because of her high nose bridge.
For "Ma Xo", she portrays Thao, a poor wife living in the Mekong Delta in 2010. The director required the character to have the "most authentic appearance possible". Earlier this year, about 10 days before filming began, she had her artificial nasal cartilage removed, feeling relieved and comfortable. "I want to improve every day, correcting the mistakes of my youth – things that no longer suit me," she said.
Taking on a lead role on the big screen for the first time, the actress meticulously researched the character's psychology and invested in the pre-production phase. Never having been a mother, she observed how her older sister and neighbors in her hometown moved and lived while pregnant. She also attended a prenatal class to better understand the physiological and psychological changes experienced by expectant mothers, such as contractions (a tightening of the abdomen). To familiarize herself with the heavy, cumbersome feeling, the actress borrowed a silicone prosthetic belly from the film crew, wearing it at home while sleeping and cooking for two weeks before embodying the role.
 |
Actress Tin Nguyen, a former dancer and TikToker. Photo: Nguyen Son |
Tin Nguyen, whose real name is Nguyen Thi Dac Tin, was born in 1997 in Phu Yen. Before becoming a content creator on TikTok, she was a dancer in a dance troupe in Nha Trang, Khanh Hoa, and studied early childhood education. The actress has appeared in the web drama "Thach Sanh Ly Thanh" by Ngoc Thanh Tam, the music video "Y Troi" by Dong Nhi, and several projects by Huynh Lap.
In 2021, during the social distancing period due to the pandemic, Tin Nguyen began recording and uploading content to TikTok. She gradually gained popularity on the platform with diverse videos, including dance performances and comedic skits, attracting over 5 million followers. In 2024, she made her cinematic debut in Ly Hai's "Lat Mat 7", receiving widespread praise for her role as a fishing village wife awaiting her husband's return after a sea storm. Three consecutive films she starred in achieved significant success: "Lat Mat 7" grossed 482 billion VND, "Tham Tu Kien" 250 billion VND, and "Lat Mat 8" 232 billion VND.
The film "Ma Xo" is a family psychological drama centered on Thao (Tin Nguyen) and Phu (Avin Lu), a couple desperate for a child after experiencing one miscarriage. In their despair, they seek help from a shaman (Le Khanh) to "worship the house ghost" (ma xo, a traditional belief in a protective, yet potentially malevolent, spirit). While they achieve their goal, mysterious events soon unfold as the characters' greed spirals out of control.
Director Phan Ba Hy stated that the script draws inspiration from folk beliefs. Therefore, the depiction of the "ma xo" imagery not only aims to evoke fear but also reflects existing beliefs and perceptions in daily life. He hopes that he and the crew can create fresh visuals and an unpredictable script, focusing on delving into character psychology rather than relying on "jumpscares" (sudden frights using sound and visuals).
Mai Nhat
