Cho: A Tale of Voodoo has some interesting aspects to its plot. There are also some fantastical elements that show the creativity inherent within the script. However, this is one rather outlandish film with some wooden acting that makes this an overall tough watch, especially if not viewed purely for laughs.
The film stars Kenny Klugewicz as wealthy businessman David Cho. In the opening minutes, he’s interviewed by a Philadelphia Inquirer reporter played by Sanna Huerta and thus, we learn the wild backstory of David Cho, including how he obtained rather bizarre powers, or well, we’re supposed to learn that. The story is rather convoluted. I can’t imagine how a reporter would actually be able to piece together David’s story into a coherent feature article. He tells the reporter about his early days as a businessman and when he married his wife, Jia (Kitty Wu). Along the way, David screwed over a woman with a young daughter. She believes that he robbed her of what she was owed. As a result, if I even understand it right, she cursed him. However, David somehow ended up with strange powers.
Initially, David acted possessed and posed harm to Jia. There’s even an absurd scene where he crawls across the kitchen floor, growling at her. Yet, Jia and a friend knock out David and take him to see a woman referred to as the Mistress. After that point, where apparently the Mistress exorcised the evil spirit from David’s body, he then possesses uncanny powers.
One interesting aspect of the film occurs when David shows off his powers to young women at a bar, after a cringe-worthy karaoke scene. This creates tension between David and Jia because women swoon over his powers. It’s one of the film’s actual interesting plot threads and a chance for real character tension. However, not enough is done with it, and it’s soon dropped because David vows to protect Jia.
The film then takes another narrative left turn when the daughter of the woman who vowed revenge on David suddenly shows up. This results in yet another ridiculous scene and face-off. That said, there are some real stakes that occur in the last act. It’s just too bad the execution and acting are so poor. There’s even a moment where, for whatever reason, David has a magical glowing ring that enhances his powers.
Cho: A Tale of Voodoo doesn’t really know what it wants to be. The movie blends elements of fantasy, horror, and action, but it can’t really pull any of them off. Still, the movie does have its creative elements and certainly takes big swings. At the very least, it’s good for a few laughs.
