Staff Writer Tan Yan An reviews Nelicia Low’s Pierce (2024), starring Liu Hsiu-Fu and Tsao Yu Ning.

Pierce (2024) is a psychological thriller that follows a younger brother’s journey through fencing, family, and doubt. An aspiring fencer and youngest son who lives with his mother (Ding Ning), Zi Jie (Liu Hsiu Fu) is overshadowed by the return of his older brother, Zi Han (Tsao Yu Ning), who returns home after seven years in prison for a freak fencing accident.

With Zi Han’s return, the frozen gears begin to turn once more. The family, much like Zi Han, remains trapped in an unresolved dilemma. Zi Jie has to ask himself: will he trust his family or his judgement? The film dangles the lure of possible redemption, as the younger brother tries to hold the pieces of his life together at every juncture. 

The chemistry between Liu and Tsao lends weight to this tense relationship. A palpable awkwardness gradually shifts into a brotherly bond on the cusp of blossoming, though both hesitantly hold their cards close to their chests — a tension that is further amplified by the direction of Nelicia Low, who brings her personal experiences into the storytelling. The mother stands as a barrier to the brothers’ reconciliation, urging Zi Han to sever ties with Zi Jie while keeping her secrets hidden — all while navigating a new romantic relationship.

Low, awarded Best Director at this year’s Karlovy Vary International Film Festival, crafts an intense psychological thriller. Drawing from her background in fencing and a deeply personal story, Low reimagines her relationship with her younger brother with autism into that of two brothers in Pierce, one of whom grapples with a possible mental condition. The film’s Chinese title, 刺心切骨 (Ci xin qie gu), loosely translates to the stabbing of the heart and the cutting of the bone. And surely enough, the brothers are locked in a mental fencing match, where they both feint and riposte, confronting equal parts love and doubt. The younger brother grapples with his angst and uncertainty, while the older brother faces the possibility of complete rejection, culminating in the crossing of a point of no return. 

The film confronts its audience with questions of loyalty and the price of love. How much can you forgive someone you’re meant to love, and how deeply do you trust your family? Low’s casting is fascinating, especially because she cast her actors "blind" — unaware of Tsao’s usual rom-com roles — choosing instead to see if they could embody their roles as family. Yet, their brotherly dynamic shines through — Liu’s doe-eyed, meek demeanour reflects his struggle to stand up to their mother while seeking connection with his brother, finding his footing in uncertain steps. Meanwhile, Tsao’s confident, sharpened features conceal his true thoughts as he quietly guides Liu in fencing.

For those who have watched either Doubt (2008) or Prisoners (2013) and appreciated their explorations of moral ambiguity and familial ties, look no further. The film asks: “How far will you go to understand what love truly means?”

pierce (2024) premieres in cinemas on 7 november.