Discover the intricate plot of Paradox (2018). From unexpected twists to emotional highs and lows, this detailed summary breaks down every moment to give you a deeper understanding of the film’s story.
When Hong Kong police inspector Lee Chung-chi receives distressing news about the unexpected disappearance of his 16-year-old daughter, Lee Wing-chi (portrayed by Hanna Chan), during her trip to Pattaya, he makes the urgent decision to journey to Thailand in search of her. There, he finds support in the form of local Chinese detective Chui Kit and his Thai associate Tak, while also encountering American gangster Sacha.
As Lee delves deeper into the investigation, he uncovers clues linking his daughter’s abduction to a case concerning a mayoral candidate in need of a heart transplant. He grows increasingly suspicious of the candidate’s assistant, Cheng Hon-sau (Gordon Lam), believing he has partnered with Sacha in the conspiracy to kidnap his daughter. In a desperate move fueled by grief, Lee takes the law into his own hands by abducting corrupt officer Ban, aiming to extract crucial information regarding the case. This act transforms him into a nationwide fugitive, forcing Lee to rely on Chui as his sole ally in the search for his daughter.
In an effort to gather proof of Lee’s daughter’s whereabouts, Chui and Tak visit an apartment belonging to a taxi driver who possesses dashcam footage of her. However, Sacha and his gang arrive first, leading to a fierce confrontation. While Chui manages to subdue several of Sacha’s men, Tak engages in a fierce struggle with Sacha himself. Tak ultimately defeats Sacha, but in an act of desperation, Sacha hurls a bystander child off the building. Tak heroically saves the child but ends up losing his life in the process.
During an unsettling interrogation, Ban divulges the location where Lee’s daughter is being held. As Lee races to the site, he finds himself in a collision with Cheng’s vehicle, which is transporting his daughter. As the police target Lee after discovering a wounded Ban, he narrowly escapes, while his daughter is whisked away to Sacha’s headquarters by Cheng. Ban’s fate takes a grim turn when he is murdered in the hospital. Meanwhile, police commissioner Chai becomes aware of the looming cover-up and pressures Chui to abandon the investigation, citing the potential danger to their lives.
After the heart transplant operation is accomplished, Cheng instructs Chai to eliminate Sacha and his criminal associates. Just as the police prepare to raid Sacha’s hideout, Lee breaches the premises first, taking out numerous henchmen despite sustaining injuries. Chai, determined to see Lee taken down as well, orders the operation to proceed. Enraged by this order, Chui defiantly confronts Chai and rushes in to rescue Lee, fiercely battling Sacha’s remaining henchmen.
In a cruel twist of fate, Chui learns from Lee the heartbreaking truth and is met with the news of his daughter’s demise. As the tension escalates, he manages to subdue Sacha momentarily, but when Sacha employs a fire extinguisher to regain advantage, Lee intervenes in a fit of rage. The struggle culminates in Lee viciously biting off Sacha’s ear before fatally wounding him with a bonesaw. Just as Chai arrives with intentions to execute Lee, he halts upon Chui’s insistence, reminding himself that they are, at heart, still policemen. Chai reveals to Chui the kidnapping of his wife orchestrated by Cheng.
Determined to rescue Chui’s wife, Lee volunteers for the mission. Chui reluctantly handcuffs him to the steering wheel of their vehicle for safety and remains on guard. Lee stealthily infiltrates the mayoral candidate’s residence amid a birthday party for the candidate’s granddaughter. Inside, Lee listens to the mayoral candidate’s heart, only to be confronted by Cheng, who reveals himself as the mastermind behind the series of crimes. In a moment of resolution, Lee eliminates Cheng while sparing the mayoral candidate, but the burden of his losses drives him into despair. With a final act of tragedy, Lee takes his own life, leaving Chui to hear the gunshot that signals the end of his friend’s battle.
Although Chui’s wife is later freed and gives birth, the joy of new life is overshadowed by the haunting memory of Lee’s selfless sacrifice.
Track the key events of Paradox (2018) with a comprehensive timeline. Perfect for understanding the sequence of major plot points, this feature offers clarity on how the story unfolds.
Lee's Daughter Disappears
Inspector Lee Chung-chi receives devastating news about the sudden disappearance of his 16-year-old daughter, Lee Wing-chi, while she is on vacation in Pattaya. This troubling news shakes him to the core and prompts him to take immediate action.
Journey to Thailand
In a state of urgency and desperation, Lee travels to Thailand to search for Wing-chi. Upon his arrival, he seeks assistance from local detectives, including Chui Kit and his partner Tak, as they begin to piece together clues regarding his daughter's whereabouts.
Investigation Uncovers Links
As Lee delves deeper into the investigation, he discovers connections between his daughter's kidnapping and a mayoral candidate's need for a heart transplant. This revelation raises suspicions about the candidate's assistant, Cheng Hon-sau, whom Lee believes is involved in the conspiracy.
Lee Takes the Law into His Own Hands
Overcome by grief, Lee abducts a corrupt officer, Ban, in a desperate attempt to extract information about his daughter's abduction. This reckless act turns him into a fugitive, intensifying the urgency of his search, while Chui becomes his only ally.
Chui and Tak's Investigation
Chui and Tak take the initiative to track down a taxi driver who allegedly has dashcam footage of Lee's daughter. However, their efforts are thwarted when Sacha and his gang arrive first, leading to an intense confrontation between the groups.
Tragic Loss of Tak
During the climax of the fight, Tak manages to defeat Sacha, but in a moment of desperation, Sacha throws a nearby child from the building. Tak heroically saves the child but tragically dies in the process, intensifying the stakes for Lee.
Lee Learns His Daughter's Location
In a tense interrogation session, Ban reveals where Wing-chi is being held. As Lee rushes to rescue her, he unexpectedly collides with Cheng's vehicle, which is transporting his daughter, propelling the narrative towards a critical turning point.
Ban's Murky Fate
Following his revelation to Lee, Ban meets a grim end when he is killed in the hospital. This retribution underlines the depth of corruption surrounding the kidnapping and raises the stakes for Lee and Chui's pursuit of justice.
The Cover-Up Unfolds
Amidst the growing chaos, police commissioner Chai learns about deep-rooted corruption and urges Chui to abandon their investigation. Despite the potential dangers, this revelation sparks a fierce conflict between pursuing justice and safeguarding their lives.
Lee's Assault on Sacha's Hideout
With a determination to rescue his daughter, Lee barges into Sacha's hideout, taking on numerous henchmen. Despite injuries that leave him vulnerable, he persists in his mission, showcasing the lengths a father will go for his child.
Chui Confronts Chai
Chui confronts Commissioner Chai over the deadly orders issued against Lee. This confrontation reveals the rift in law enforcement's loyalty between upholding the law and the illicit activities that plague their work.
The Tragic Truth
In a stirring moment, Chui learns the heartbreaking news of Lee's daughter’s death. This truth casts a shadow over the ongoing battle against Sacha, stirring anguish and relentless rage within Lee, which culminates in a violent showdown.
Climactic Battle
In the final confrontation, Lee channels his grief and rage towards Sacha, culminating in a brutal struggle. The fight escalates, leading to a gruesome conclusion as Lee's anguish pushes him to commit acts of extraordinary violence.
Lee's Despairing Decision
Overcome by the losses he has endured, Lee makes the tragic decision to end his life. This self-sacrifice echoes the sentiment of a warrior who has fought for a cause bigger than himself, leaving an indelible mark on Chui and all those involved.
Chui's Aftermath
In the wake of Lee's sacrifice, Chui's wife is ultimately freed, and she gives birth to a child. Despite the joy of new life, the shadow of Lee’s loss looms heavily over Chui, marking a bittersweet conclusion to a harrowing journey.
Meet the characters that bring Paradox (2018) to life. Dive into detailed profiles of the cast and their roles, exploring their motivations, relationships, and arcs within the story.
Lee Chung-chi (Louis Koo)
Lee Chung-chi is a determined Hong Kong police inspector driven to desperate measures when his daughter goes missing. His character arc illustrates a drastic transformation from law enforcement to a fugitive willing to break the law for the sake of his child's safety. Despite his flawed choices, Lee's love for his daughter remains unwavering.
Chui Kit (Wu Yue)
Chui Kit serves as a local detective who supports Lee in the search for his daughter. His loyalty and investigative skills make him an invaluable ally, showcasing a pragmatic yet empathetic nature. Chui is compelled to confront his own moral dilemmas as he navigates a world full of corruption and danger alongside Lee.
Sacha (Chris Collins)
Sacha is an American gangster entangled in the conspiracy surrounding Lee's daughter's kidnapping. His character embodies ruthless ambition and the threats of organized crime, acting as a formidable opponent for Lee and Chui. He represents the chaotic underbelly of the world the protagonists are trying to navigate.
Uncover the settings of Paradox (2018), from iconic locations to the time period that shapes its world. See how these elements add depth and context to the movie’s narrative.
Time period
The movie takes place in contemporary times, reflecting modern societal issues such as crime and corruption. This time period emphasizes the relevance of the story to current global challenges faced by both families and law enforcement.
Location
Hong Kong, Pattaya, Thailand
Hong Kong serves as the starting point of the story, known for its bustling urban life and crime. Pattaya, a vibrant resort city in Thailand, is where the investigation unfolds, characterized by its beaches and nightlife. The combination of these locales highlights the contrasting elements of safety and danger surrounding the search for Lee Wing-chi.
Explore the core themes of Paradox (2018). From its commentary on social issues to its emotional undertones, delve into the deeper messages woven into the film’s story.
🕵️♂️
Justice
The theme of justice runs deep as Lee Chung-chi transforms from a grieving father into an avenger. His desperate pursuit of his daughter sees him navigating a morally ambiguous path, illustrating the lengths one might go to achieve what they perceive as justice. The theme questions the boundaries of lawful behavior in dire circumstances.
💔
Loss
Loss permeates the narrative as Lee's heart-wrenching journey is marked by the disappearance of his daughter and the eventual sacrifices made along the way. The emotional impact of losing loved ones resonates throughout the film, exploring the repercussions of personal tragedy on individuals and their relationships.
🤝
Friendship
The film portrays the significance of friendship, especially through the bond between Lee and Chui Kit. Their alliance amid chaos showcases the strength they draw from each other, underlining how cooperation can lead to resilience even in the darkest circumstances. The theme emphasizes loyalty and support in times of crisis.
What's After the Movie?
Not sure whether to stay after the credits? Find out!
Check out our other apps:
Actors
Companies
Latest Movies
© 2024 What's After the Movie?. All rights reserved.