In this fantastical drama, a newlywed scholar embarks on a quest for philosophical enlightenment, driven by his disagreement with the enigmatic Sack Monk. He teams up with the cunning Flying Thief, who sets him on a journey to discover the secrets of other women's hearts - but only if he can first acquire a remarkable appendage.

In this fantastical drama, a newlywed scholar embarks on a quest for philosophical enlightenment, driven by his disagreement with the enigmatic Sack Monk. He teams up with the cunning Flying Thief, who sets him on a journey to discover the secrets of other women's hearts - but only if he can first acquire a remarkable appendage.

Does Sex and Zen have end credit scenes?

No!

Sex and Zen does not have end credit scenes.

Ratings


Metacritic

58

Metascore

6.0

User Score

Movie Quiz


Sex and Zen Quiz: Test your knowledge of the scandalous tale of carnal desire in 'Sex and Zen' from 1993.

Who is the main protagonist of 'Sex and Zen'?

Plot Summary

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In this provocative narrative of lust and betrayal, Mei Yeung-Sheng, an erudite yet indulgent man, boldly challenges the ethical principles espoused by the revered Sack Monk. Unlike the monk who strives to rise above earthly desires in his quest for enlightenment, Mei revels in his carnal pleasures with women, much to the monk’s chagrin. Chaos ensues when Master Iron Doors, the most powerful figure in the region, insists that his innocent daughter Huk-Yeung enter into matrimony with Mei.

Fueling Mei’s voracious appetites is the advice of the scheming thief Choi Kun-Lun, who proclaims that one must possess both skill and the right equipment to succeed in seducing other men’s wives. He insists that Mei procure a horse’s appendage for his plans. Unfazed by this bizarre request, Mei embarks on a quest to secure such an item, eventually crossing paths with a clever surgeon, Kent Cheng, who commits to performing an astonishing operation that transplants a substantial equine organ onto Mei’s body.

Armed with this newfound enhancement, Mei embarks on a series of lustful conquests, heedless of the repercussions of his actions. Meanwhile, Huk-Yeung, after tasting passion with her husband, grows restless and finds herself drawn to self-gratification with paintbrushes, eventually leading to a secret affair with Wong Chut, who happens to be married to one of Mei’s victims. As their secret romance blooms, Huk-Yeung becomes pregnant, only to be cruelly sold to a brothel by Wong in a moment of vengeance.

In this establishment, Mistress Ku, the merciless madam, savagely beats Huk-Yeung, causing her to lose the child and ultimately pushing her into a life of sex work. As she comes to terms with her new reality, she unexpectedly finds a semblance of liberation within the brothel’s confines.

Things take a dire turn when Mei’s excessive pursuits begin to take a toll on his health, rendering him weak and ailing. Ironically, he seeks care at the very brothel where Huk-Yeung now works, unwittingly encountering the top courtesan. Both oblivious to their intertwined pasts, they stumble through interactions filled with tension as they confront the remnants of their former lives.

Intense moments of passion ensue, but when Mei, transfixed by his partner’s form, discovers the unmistakable outline of her breast, he explodes with rage, condemning her and shattering the fragile intimacy they had momentarily shared. The abrupt realization sends the woman reeling into shock and humiliation as she flees, leaving Mei enveloped in regret and confusion.

In the somber aftermath, the hurt woman spirals into despair and makes a fateful decision that drastically changes her life. As whispers of her tragic fate circulate, Mei is left to confront his reckless choices and their devastating aftermath. Plagued by guilt, he seeks the wisdom of the monk, yearning for forgiveness and an opportunity to make amends for the irrevocable damage he has inflicted upon others.

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