Title: “Andy Lau’s ‘Running on Karma’: A Mind-Bending Odyssey of Fate, Forgiveness, and the Human Condition”
In an era where cinema often prioritizes spectacle over substance, Running on Karma (2003) — also known as The Big Hit or Daai zek lau — stands as a daring anomaly. Directed by the visionary duo Johnnie To and Wai Ka-fai, this genre-defying masterpiece starring Andy Lau and Cecilia Cheung is not merely a film; it’s a philosophical labyrinth that challenges Western notions of justice, karma, and free will. Here’s why this underappreciated gem deserves global attention.
- A Physically Transformative Performance by Andy Lau
Andy Lau’s portrayal of Big Monk, a disillusioned former Buddhist monk turned muscle-bound nightclub performer, is nothing short of astonishing. To embody the role, Lau underwent a grueling six-month transformation, wearing a 20kg prosthetic muscle suit that redefined his physicality. This isn’t just acting — it’s a metamorphosis. Beneath the hulking exterior lies a man haunted by his ability to see因果 (karma): visions of people’s past sins that dictate their tragic futures. Lau’s nuanced performance oscillates between comic levity and existential despair, creating a character who is simultaneously a carnival attraction and a tormented prophet.
- A Radical Exploration of Buddhist Philosophy
The film dismantles simplistic “good vs. evil” narratives through its unflinching examination of因果报应 (karmic retribution). When Big Monk partners with Inspector Lee Fung-yee (Cecilia Cheung) to solve crimes, their investigations reveal a terrifying truth: victims often suffer due to sins from past lives unrelated to their present selves. A key scene where Lau explains karmic debt through a parable about wartime cannibalism forces viewers to confront moral relativism. This isn’t Eastern mysticism — it’s a brutal metaphor for how historical injustices (colonialism, war crimes) continue to shape modern suffering.
- Genre-Bending Visual Poetry
To and Wai craft a surreal aesthetic that mirrors the story’s spiritual chaos. The opening sequence — a naked Big Monk fleeing police through neon-lit Hong Kong streets — blends slapstick comedy with religious iconography. Later, a hallucinatory vision of Cheung’s decapitated head suspended among forest leaves (a scene that traumatized a generation of viewers.
- Subversive Gender Dynamics
Beneath its metaphysical surface, the film critiques patriarchal power structures. Inspector Lee’s quest to avenge her father’s murder evolves into a meditation on female agency in a male-dominated world. Her eventual fate — a direct result of male ancestors’ sins — mirrors how women across cultures inherit historical trauma. Meanwhile, Big Monk’s muscular hypermasculinity is revealed as a fragile facade, a stark contrast to Lau’s typically heroic roles.
- Global Relevance in the Age of AI Ethics
While rooted in Buddhist thought, Running on Karma eerily predicts 21st-century debates about determinism versus free will. Big Monk’s karmic visions parallel modern algorithms predicting human behavior — both reduce individuals to data points in an unforgiving system. The film asks: If our choices are predetermined by past actions (or code), does redemption exist? This theme resonates with contemporary discussions about AI ethics and systemic inequality.
Why International Audiences Should Watch
This isn’t just “Hong Kong’s answer to The Matrix.” It’s a bold challenge to Western linear storytelling. The film’s non-judgmental portrayal of sex work, police corruption, and spiritual crisis offers a uniquely Asian perspective on universal struggles. For viewers willing to embrace ambiguity, the ambiguous ending — where Lau returns to monastic life, humming a haunting melody — becomes a Rorschach test about hope versus resignation.
Final Verdict: A Cinematic Koan for the Soul
-Running on Karma* demands active engagement. It’s messy, provocative, and refuses easy answers — much like life itself. In an age of sanitized blockbusters, this film remains a defiantly humanist work, asking us to see beyond surface appearances (whether muscles or movie genres) and confront the uncomfortable truths binding us all.
Where to Watch: Available on select Asian cinema streaming platforms with restored subtitles.
Cultural Footnotes for Global Readers:
- The original Chinese title《大隻佬》translates to “Big Guy,” ironically contrasting Lau’s physique with the story’s spiritual depth.
- The film’s controversial mainland China edit (removing 20+ minutes of Buddhist philosophy) sparked debates about censorship vs. cultural accessibility.
- Lau’s prosthetic suit later inspired Hollywood’s Guardians of the Galaxy and Venom makeup teams.