Taiwanese Low-Budget Horror Film "Hand of Death" Tops NT$10 Million at Russian Box Office

The Taiwanese original horror film "Hand of Death" is reporting more good news from overseas. Powered by its high-concept premise — "holding hands starts a death countdown" — the film has made its mark on the international market. Its overseas rights have now been sold to 18 territories, with more deals in the works. In Russia and the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS), cumulative box office has topped NT$10 million, closing in on South Korea's phenomenon horror hit "Exhuma" and showcasing the international competitiveness of Taiwanese original cinema.

On its opening weekend in Russia and the CIS, "Hand of Death" outgrossed the South Korean film "Hope," which was playing at the same time. By its fourth week, according to Russian box office tracking site Kinobusiness, the film had grossed 25.97 million rubles (NT$10.06 million) as of October 11. That total not only surpassed the roughly 14.83 million rubles earned locally by "The Roundup: Punishment," starring Ma Dong-seok, but also approached the 27.26 million ruble record set by "Exhuma," starring Choi Min-sik and Kim Go-eun. Notably, "Exhuma" was made for $10 million — about 10 times the budget of "Hand of Death" — yet the two films achieved comparable box office in the same overseas market, highlighting the market potential of Taiwanese original genre films.

In addition, Russia's film market has in recent years been affected by the Russia-Ukraine war and shifts in the international film industry. According to research firm Nevafilm Research, the number of cinemas operating in 2025 fell 7% from the previous year. Against this volatile backdrop, the strong performance of a Taiwanese film is all the more remarkable.

"Hand of Death" is directed by up-and-coming filmmaker Wang Hao and stars Esther Yen, Tu Shan-tsun, Mu Mei and Chu Meng-hsuan. It transforms "holding hands" — a symbol of intimacy and trust — into a deadly rule, creating a distinctive horror film. Beyond its box office, the film has also drawn positive responses from Russian audiences. On the local review site Otzovik, viewers praised the film's gripping story, tight pacing and unsettling atmosphere, and were impressed by its visual effects and unexpected plot twists.

Overseas rights to "Hand of Death" have been sold to 18 territories across Asia, Europe and other markets, with further expansion ongoing — a demonstration of iFreemen International's integrated strengths spanning content development, production and international sales. iFreemen International's upcoming slate also includes the series "If We Had Never Met," starring Super Junior's Choi Siwon and Lei Jiarui; the fantasy film "Lao Tzu," starring Aaron Kwok and Wang Po-chieh; the horror thriller "Dwelling," directed by Hong Kong filmmaker Danny Pang and starring Yuko Fang and Shih Ming-shuai; and the action film "Instant Kill," starring Lee Lee-zen, Fu Meng-po and Chu Pak-hong. Spanning a range of genres, the four projects will continue to build the company's international presence, bringing more Taiwanese original stories to screens around the world.

Source: CTWANT — https://www.ctwant.com/article/502571/