Phi Phong: The Blood Demon
| Phi Phong: The Blood Demon | |
|---|---|
 Theatrical release poster | |
| Directed by | Quoc Trung Do |
| Starring |
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| Cinematography | Fa Chau Tran |
| Music by | Nguyen Hoang Anh Khuat Duy Minh |
Production companies | BlueBell Studios Mockingbird Pictures |
| Distributed by |
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Release date |
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| Country | Vietnam |
| Language | Vietnamese |
| Box office | $5.09 million (₫134.1 billion)[1] |
Phi Phong: The Blood Demon (Vietnamese: Phi Phông: Quỷ Máu Rừng Thiêng) is a 2026 Vietnamese supernatural horror film directed by Do Quoc Trung. The film is inspired by folklore from Vietnam’s northern highlands about the Phi Phong, a bloodthirsty entity said to live among humans by day while feeding on their blood and life force at night.
Plot
Cast
- Doan Minh Anh as Mon
- Diep Bao Ngoc as Lua
- Kieu Minh Tuan as Còn
- Nina Padovan
Production
The film was directed by Do Quoc Trung and produced by Bluebells Studios and Mockingbird Pictures. Producers described it as a "large-scale horror production that blends regional mythology with visceral cinematic terror" and one of the most ambitious Vietnamese horror films to date. CEO Trang Doan stated the intention was to elevate Vietnamese horror cinema to the global stage by embracing the "terrifying mythology of our region."[2][3]
Release
Phi Phong: The Blood Demon was released in Vietnam on April 24, 2026, to coincide with the Reunification Day holiday period. Preview screenings ran April 16-19, with strong early reactions leading to an extension through April 23.[4]
International rollout began in May 2026, with Indonesia on May 13 via PT Omega, and Malaysia, Brunei (Golden Screen Cinemas) and Hong Kong (Sil-Metropole Organisation) on May 14.[5] Theatrical releases in North America via Mockingbird Pictures, Taiwan (MovieCloud), Cambodia and Laos (M Pictures) were scheduled for summer 2026.[6][7]
International distribution
Ahead of its Vietnam release, the film sold to more than ten territories. The legend of the Phi Phong is regarded as one of the northern highland region’s most chilling supernatural tales, and producers believe its "dark mystique will resonate strongly with international audiences who are increasingly drawn to Southeast Asian horror."[6][8]
Reception
Box office
The film became the fastest Vietnamese horror film to reach the VND100bn ($3.8m) milestone, doing so in less than a week before its official opening day. As of April 27, 2026, it had grossed $5.09m (VND134bn), making it Vietnam’s second biggest local film of 2026 to date, behind Tran Thanh’s Bunny!! with ∼$17.1m. It earned $2.63m (VND69.44bn) during preview screenings alone.[9][10]
Critical response
Local audiences praised the film for its "gripping narrative, striking visuals, unexpected twists and layered themes beneath its eerie atmosphere," according to Mockingbird Pictures executive producer Phong Duong.[11]
References
- ↑ Wong, Silvia (April 29, 2026). "'Phi Phong: The Blood Demon' becomes Vietnam's second biggest local film of 2026". Screen Daily. Retrieved May 3, 2026.
- ↑ Di, An (April 20, 2026). "Sao nhí Thái Lan tự học tiếng Việt, thần thái gây sốt trong phim "Phí Phông"". VGT. Retrieved May 3, 2026.
- ↑ "Phi Phong: The Blood Demon - Vietnamese Horror Film Taking the World by Storm! (2026)". Custommapposter. Retrieved May 3, 2026.
- ↑ "Phi Phong: The Blood Demon draws global attention with Hong Kong showcase". Voice of Vietnam. March 23, 2026. Retrieved May 3, 2026.
- ↑ "Vietnam attends 30th Hong Kong International Film and TV Market". Vietnam Pictorial. March 18, 2026. Retrieved May 3, 2026.
- 1 2 Miska, Brad (March 17, 2026). "Vietnamese 'Phi Phong: The Blood Demon' Gets Theatrical Run". Dread Central. Retrieved May 3, 2026.
- ↑ Shackleton, Liz (March 16, 2026). "Vietnamese Horror 'Phi Phong: The Blood Demon' Sells To Multiple Territories Through Mockingbird". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved May 3, 2026.
- ↑ "Vietnamese Horror 'Phi Phong: The Blood Demon' Sells To Multiple Territories Through Mockingbird". OMNI 36. March 16, 2026. Retrieved May 3, 2026.
- ↑ Luận, Công (February 5, 2026). "Vietnamese horror films achieve great success by exploiting local material?". Vietnam.vn. Retrieved May 3, 2026.
- ↑ "Vibrant cultural, artistic activities held in HCMC on April 30, May Day holiday". Sài Gòn Giải Phóng. May 1, 2026. Retrieved May 3, 2026.
- ↑ Son, Ahn (April 20, 2026). "Phi Phong: Blood demons of the sacred forest" - A journey bringing multi-layered spiritual experiences". Lao Dong. Retrieved May 3, 2026.