Lu Chuan’s Chronicles of the Ghostly Tribe mixes Chinese fantasy, monsters and a bold adventure.
A Festival Director Goes Blockbuster
Chronicles of the Ghostly Tribe is a 2015 Chinese fantasy-adventure film directed by Lu Chuan. Lu was best known for serious, award-minded work such as Kekexili: Mountain Patrol, so this effects-heavy blockbuster felt like a surprising change of direction. Critics noted that he had never boxed himself into an artsy corner, and this film showed his commercial side.
It was also his first major commercial hit. The film was released in China on 30 September 2015 and runs about 118 minutes, which gives it room for large set pieces, supernatural mysteries and plenty of creatures.
Based on Ghost Blows Out the Light
The film is loosely based on the popular novel series Ghost Blows Out the Light by Zhang Muye, who writes as Tianxia Bachang. The books follow tomb raiders and adventurers who face curses and ancient secrets. Lu’s screenplay, however, has only a loose connection to the source material, which meant that fans of the novels were not guaranteed a faithful version.
A rival adaptation, Mojin: The Lost Legend, was produced at the same time with a bigger budget and a starrier cast, and it opened roughly eleven weeks later. Chronicles reached cinemas first, and the two films are very different in tone. Chronicles is not a prequel but an entirely separate take.
The Story
The film opens in 1979 with massive fossils of unknown creatures discovered in mountainous territory. A research team led by Professor Yang, played by Wang Qingxiang, is sent to investigate, and it includes the young soldier Hu Bayi, played by Mark Chao, and Yang Ping, played by Chen Yao.
An underground collapse traps the team and they confront strange forces, ancient relics and a mysterious structure known as the Demon Pagoda. Hu Bayi survives a deadly encounter and returns home, but years later he learns that Yang Ping may still be alive. His search leads him into the desert for the final stretch of the film, where the film’s large creature action takes place.
Mark Chao and Chen Yao
Mark Chao carries the film as Hu Bayi, a man whose life is changed by one fateful mission. He plays the role with a mix of soldierly discipline and growing obsession. Chen Yao gives Yang Ping a warmth in the early scenes that makes the later twists more painful.
Together they provide the emotional center, which the film needs because the plot becomes complicated. Even critics who disliked the story found that the central relationship gave them something to follow when the mythology grew crowded.
Spectacle and Atmosphere
Visually, this is a film of caves, deserts, ruins and monsters. Critics praised the opening for its atmosphere and Lu Chuan’s control of spectacle, and the later creature scenes give audiences the large-scale action that was advertised. The film was also shot in widescreen and 3D, which suits its big landscapes.
The score and sound design add to the mood, and one review recommended the film for its visually arresting sequences and well-executed audio. For viewers who want a monster adventure with a Chinese fantasy flavor, those elements deliver.
The Plot Problem
The biggest criticism is the structure. Some reviewers said the story feels like three different films spliced together, and that the plot tortuously relocates itself as it goes. Exposition arrives in staggered bursts, and several questions are answered with the vague power of the Demon Pagoda rather than clear logic.
Another complaint is that the titular Ghostly Tribe appears much less than the title suggests. That does not make the film unwatchable. Many reviewers still found it entertaining, even when they thought the writing was a mess.
Where It Fits
Chronicles of the Ghostly Tribe belongs to the wave of Chinese fantasy and adventure films that tried to compete with Hollywood spectacle in the mid-2010s. It shows both the ambition and the growing pains of that movement. Visual effects were a major selling point, and the film also set up a possible sequel.
For fans of Lu Chuan, it is a curiosity. For fans of fantasy adventure, it is a flawed but lively entry that rewards patient viewers.
Final Thoughts
Chronicles of the Ghostly Tribe is messy, ambitious and often fun. Its story may be confusing, but its monsters, locations and lead performances keep it moving. If you enjoy fantasy adventure and want to see a respected director try something louder, it is worth a watch.
Leave a Reply